Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Antonio 'Popeye' Francis dies aged 54 following a stroke

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Antonio “Popeye” Francis has died aged 54 after suffering a stroke, his family have said.

The unlikely talent show favourite starred in the 2011 series of the popular ITV show that seeks to find the next Royal Variety Performance act.

His routine involved him popping his bulging eyeballs out in time with musical beats.

His son Dan Francis told The Sun: “A week ago a family friend found him in his room on the floor unconscious where he had a stroke.

“What's crazy is he was there for at least six days so he'd survived for at least six days before we got him into the hospital and for the first two days he was breathing by himself.”

The bereaved son then explained how he had witnessed his father’s final moments the next morning.

He told the publication that the family are now fundraising to bury the late performer in Barbados, where he said he wanted to be laid to rest.

Before his death, Francis had been grappling with ill health and had reportedly suffered memory loss, a minor stroke, heart failure and other organ issues.

A fundraising page set up for Francis’ funeral had already hit £1500 of a £5000 target on Monday, a day after its launch.