A TALENTED singer who once wowed the X Factor judges has tragically died aged just 34.
Danny Dearden was 23 when he made it through to the judges’ houses on Simon Cowell‘s music competition.
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But the sad news of his passing was shared on Instagram by his agent Denise Beighton today.
She wrote: “Heartbroken to wake up to the news that you’re gone. I have no words right now. Rest easy beautiful boy.”
The former joiner bagged a place on Mel B‘s six winners’ chairs on the ITV show back in 2014.
The Littleborough artist’s rendition of If You Love Me by Brownstone struck a chord with the former Spice Girl.
She said: “That was a killer song, killer vocals and a slam-dunk of a performance!”
Danny said: “It just hit me in the face all over again when I got through
“I had a tear in my eye and I just spun round, slapped myself and said what are you doing, you’re really embarrassing yourself.”
The singer also said bootcamp was an experience he would never forget.
He continued: “It was a bit like the Hunger Games, people think you just go on stage and sing but you don’t, it’s really hard.
“The whole thing is amazing though, I genuinely never thought I’d get this far.”
However he did not make it to the live finals after facing some stiff competition in Cancun, Mexico.
Danny performed Kelly Clarkson‘s Beautiful Disaster for Mel B and ex-bandmate Emma Bunton.
And Andrea Faustini bagged one of the three live finals places instead of Danny.
Delivering her verdict, Mel B said: “I’ve loved you from day one, undeniably you are pitch perfect but I can’t take you through, I’m so sorry.”
Family and friends rushed to social media to pay tribute to “D”.
John McDermott, who worked with the star before Covid, penned: “It is with a heavy heart to hear of the passing of a great friend and such a talented artist Danny ‘D’ who passed away early this morning at the tender age of 34.
“My deepest condolences go out to his mum Cath and all his Family and friends at this heartbreaking time.
“R.I.P. Danny. We all loved you so, so much! No words right now a tragic loss to everyone and so talented too.”
Local pub Dyers Arms posted on Facebook: “Ourselves and the family would like to invite everybody to the dyers arms tonight at 6pm to raise a glass to your beloved friend, Danny Dearden.”
Adele tribute act Lareena Mitchell said: “What a grand lad he was, had the pleasure of working with Danny over the years with John McDermott, such a sad loss, thinking of his family! RIP Danny Dearden.”
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