Social media and reality TV star Martyn Hett killed in Manchester

MARTYN Hett starred in multiple reality TV shows in Britain - and went viral for all the right reasons. The Manchester bombing claimed his life.

MANCHESTER bombing victim Martyn Hett was a former reality TV star who’s campaign to help his mum’s knitting stall went viral last year.

The 29-year-old has been named as one of the 22 victims of the suicide nail bombing, after a high-profile social media appeal to find him led by his family and comedian Jason Manford.

Martyn hit the headlines in November last year — when he made his hardworking mum a viral sensation.

His creative mum had set up her own arts and crafts business ahead of the festive season, selling knitted goods and other homemade items.

However, her first craft fair was not the success she had hoped — and she had messaged him “to say she hasn’t sold anything yet”.

Tweeting a picture of his mum’s stall, which was absolutely packed full of goodies, family man Martyn added: “My heart is breaking.”

Martyn Hett, 29, died in the Manchester Arena attack. Pictured with 'soulmate' Russell Hayward, who confirmed his death via Twitter.

The post racked up 200 re-tweets and more than 760 likes, and gave Martyn an idea for how to help his mum.

He followed up his original tweet with several updates, including a link to his mum’s Depop page, and soon she had her first ever online sale from Martyn’s friend Liam.

Martyn also shared adorable texts from his excited mum, which said things like: “This is nice and motivating.”

He added on Twitter: “Omg guys please continue to buy things, THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY.”

In a later text, his mum wrote: “Martyn I’ve sold 9 items in the past hour (grinning face). I was ready to give up knitting altogether but this has made my week!!

“Thank you my darling, you’ve made your mother very happy (heart emoji)”.

Martyn shared a screen shot of the text, adding: “What a beautiful end to this story. I’m weeping. KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE”.

My mum has set up her own stall at a craft fair and has messaged me to say she hasn't sold anything yet and my heart is breaking pic.twitter.com/cdzHn77pM5

— Martyn (@martynhett) November 26, 2016

Alongside his Twitter popularity, Martin had come to fame as a UK reality TV star, who appeared on the programs Come Dine with Me and Tattoo Fixers.

After news of the bombing at Manchester Arena, Martyn’s friends, including comedian Jason Manford, had taken to social media to appeal for information about him before his boyfriend, Russell Hayward, announced the tragic news on Twitter. He wrote: “We got the news last night that our wonderful iconic and beautiful Martyn didn’t survive. He left this world exactly how he lives, centre of attention. I’m in a really bad way so please forgive me if I don’t reply. Thankfully I have his wonderful family and amazing friends to keep each other strong. I love you Martyn. I always will.”

pic.twitter.com/sA0ngKGYAj

— 🥝Russell (@RussellHayward) May 24, 2017

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was republished with permission.