The dance troupe Diversity has paid tribute to former member Rob Anker, after he died in a car crash at the age of 27.
The British dancer was killed on Thursday morning in Canada, where he had moved to live with his fiancee Cyndi. The couple married in September last year.
Anker was a member of the group that first became famous in 2009 after winning ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, beating Scottish singer Susan Boyle to the £100,000 first prize.
Diversity, whose members include Ashley Banjo and Perri Kiely, tweeted on Saturday morning:
A former member of our group has tragically passed away. He inspired so many with his talent and was taken far too soon.
— Diversity (@Diversity_Tweet) July 29, 2017
R.I.P Rob 🙏🏼💔
Essex-born Anker, who joined Diversity after their Britain’s Got Talent win, had gone on to perform with artists such as Paloma Faith and Peter Andre and appeared on TV shows including The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and Take Me Out.
He was also in the cast of the West End production of the Michael Jackson musical Thriller Live.
Friday night’s performance of the show was dedicated to the former cast member. A Facebook post read: “He had incredible talent, great personality and was very popular amongst many. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
News of his death came after he was named in local reports of the collision in the city of Vaughan, in the York region of Ontario province.
A spokesman for Canada’s York regional police said a Chevrolet Cobalt and a Ford F550 truck collided in Major Mackenzie Drive just before 6am on Thursday. They said that the driver of the Chevrolet died from his injuries, but the other driver was unhurt.
Tributes have been paid to Anker on social media:
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Robert Anker, our thoughts and condolences go out to his friends, family and the whole of Diversity.
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) July 29, 2017
Choreographer Dean Lee tweeted:
Rob Anker. I have no words to speak after hearing of your passing. This is truly heart breaking. Thanks for the memories.
— D E A N L E E (@DeanAnthLee) July 28, 2017
Shine bright.
A JustGiving page has been set up to help his family travel to Canada for the funeral, and has already passed its £5,000 target.
His cousin Rochelle Hanson, who founded the page, wrote: “The family are devastated. He was an amazing and talented dancer. We would love to ensure that his family don’t worry or stress about money at this time.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a British man in Canada. We are providing assistance to his family at this sad time.”
