His son Dean also took up singing and developed his own act as a Robbie Williams tribute performer.
The 54-year-old, from Cleveleys, said: “He was definitely a local legend in his time – he would pack out the clubs.
“I wanted him to experience a big live TV audience, even though he’d retired, and when we got such a huge response on Britain’s Got Talent, I was made up.
“I felt so proud of him, he knocked them out.”
Dave, who was living in sheltered accommodation in Lytham, died last month from sepsis after a short illness, surrounded by family.
His funeral will be held at Carleton Crematorium in Blackpool on 27 October.
He leaves two sons, Dean and Darren, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step-great-granddaughter, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.