Organist and TV star Jean Martyn today paid tribute to her mother, who inspired her to pursue her dream career in music.

Her mother Phyllis Watterson, who was known to friends and family as Vi, died at the age of 92.

Jean, who turned 60 last Monday  and returned to her home in Brewood yesterday after the final night of the Britain’s Got Talent tour in Bournemouth, today described her mother as a “wonderful woman who never moaned”.

And former music teacher Jean said her mother’s love of Blackpool and live organ music had put her on the path to stardom.

Mrs Watterman worked at Hudson Leather Glove Factory in Walsall and then as a nurse at St George’s Hospital in Stafford until her mid 20s, when she had to retire after injuring her back.

When Bert returned home from the war the couple bought Wilkin Post Office, in Hednesford Road, Brownhills West, which they ran for more than 20 years. She also taught a choir at Mount Pleasant Methodist Church in Brownhills. She died on June 22. Her funeral will take place at Streetly Crematorium on July 6.

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