Former X Factor contestant Danny Dearden has died aged 34, his music manager has confirmed.
The talented singer from Manchester appeared on the ITV talent show in 2014 and reached the Judges House stage where he was mentored by Mel B and guest judge Emma Bunton.
Although he sadly didn’t make it through to the live shows, he impressed the Spice Girls stars with his audition at the time, performing If You Love Me by Brownstone.
While he faced tough competition in the Boys category, going up against Andrea Faustini, Jake Quickenden, Jordan Morris, Paul Akister and Jack Walton, he certainly made an impression on his mentor.
“That was a killer song, killer vocals and a slam-dunk of a performance!” enthused Mel B at the time.
The 11th series was ultimately won by Ben Haenow, with Fleur East finishing in second place.
Revealing his passing on Tuesday, his friend and music manager, Denise Beighton, shared a slew of images of Dearden from over the years on social media.
One of the pictures showed her with Dearden and X Factor head judge Simon Cowell.
In the accompanying caption, she penned: “Heartbroken to wake up to the news that you're gone. I have no words right now, rest easy beautiful boy.”
Her music management agency Upside UK later issued a statement on Facebook confirming his cause of death, which read: “We are heartbroken to announce the sad loss of our dear friend and artist Danny Dearden, who passed away peacefully this morning after a long illness.
“Danny was one of the most talented, hardworking people we have worked with and has made a big mark on the industry amassing more than 30 millio streams and collaborating with huge dance names such as Michael Calfan and Dario G.
“RIP [rest in peace] Danny,” they added, followed by a red heart emoji.
They also posted a video of Dearden singing a song titled Sleeping With The Moon.
Dearden himself said of the highly emotive track when sharing it on YouTube in 2018: “If you have ever lost someone in your life, this one is for you.”
