Jean Martyn swaps Britain's Got Talent for Hull's Willows Social Club

SHE has been praised by the likes of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and even David Hasselhoff.

Now, Britain's Got Talent star Jean Martyn has impressed in the more intimate setting of an east Hull social club.

The organ player, who reached the final last year, has appeared at the Royal Variety Performance and is playing at St James's Palace tonight.

But earlier this week, she headed to the Willows Social Club, 695 Holderness Road, for a special performance for the Springfield Electronic Organ and Keyboard Club.

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Jean said: "It has been a complete whirlwind since I appeared on the show.

"When I went on, I got four yeses, but Simon Cowell said 'I shouldn't like you, but I do'."

Jean, who released a CD on Saturday, performed some of her memorable songs from the semi-final and final of Britain's Got Talent.

The organist has many connections with East Yorkshire – she was formerly a pianist for David Whitfield and performed in Withernsea and along the coast.

She said: "Everyone was very friendly to me. I had a wonderful welcome when I arrived in Hull.

"I've been coming to Hull and East Yorkshire for a number of years and it is always nice to visit."

Her manager and partner of seven years, Bob Ware, said 80 people packed the venue for the performance.

He said: "She is keen to promote the organ societies like this one.

"Some people hear the word organ and just think of churches.

"However, Jean plays a bit of everything from classical to jazz.

"It was a great night in Hull and some of the members I spoke to said it was the best and busiest concert they had seen for several years.

"Jean had a ball and the audience did as well as she received a standing ovation."

Sadly, the concert was the last one of its type, as the Springfield Electronic Organ and Keyboard Club has seen dwindling membership.

Concert secretary Geoff Williamson said: "It is a specialist interest group and a lot of our members are elderly.

"Unfortunately, we just aren't seeing any young people wanting to play."

The group held monthly concerts, but has now decided to stop them, as there are not enough people attending them to cover the cost of paying the guest performer.

Mr Williamson said: "We booked Jean 18 months ago, but we didn't realise at that point the club would be failing."

Instead of running the monthly concerts, the club will instead hold meetings every other month and invite members to play.

The next meeting will be at the Willows Social Club on February 4. Entry costs £2.

For more details, call Mr Williamson on 01964 626236.