AN ex-squaddie has admitted killing a Britain's Got Talent star in a brutal knife attack.

Desmond Sylva, 40, was accused of stabbing his partner, 31-year-old Simonne Kerr, at her home in Battersea, South West London.

The defendant, who wore a grey tracksuit, denied her murder on August 15 last year on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Instead, Sylva today pleaded guilty to her manslaughter during a hearing at the Old Bailey.

Members of Ms Kerr's family sat in court as Sylva entered his pleas.

He faces a murder trial at the Old Bailey of up to two weeks from June 3.

Judge Richard Marks QC remanded Sylva into custody.

Ms Kerr was a haematology and oncology nurse at Guy's Hospital in central London.

She appeared on the ITV talent show with the B Positive Choir, singing Rise Up, to encourage blood donations.

Friends previously made tribute to the talented singer, saying she was "always smiling".

Pal Olynthia Bowley, 36, said: "She was a wonderful person and had a loving heart.

“She was always smiling and looking to progress - she was full of life."