X FACTOR star Ben Thapa has died at age 42, it has been revealed.
Emotional tributes are pouring in for the “great friend and amazing man” after his former bandmates in G4 posted the tragic news on social media.
4
4
Thapa started his career as a member of the classical opera quartet G4, who were runners-up on ITV’s The X Factor in 2004.
The group had secured a £1.5million album deal with Sony after finishing second on the programme.
Thapa was at the time part of G4 along with bandmates Jon Ansell, Matt Stiff, and Mike Christie.
He left the group in 2018 but continued with his performing career.
G4 today posted two pictures of the star on Instagram, writing: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our brother and great friend, Ben Thapa.
“Words cannot express how we all feel right now…
“We understand that this will be heartbreaking news for so many others too and we send you our love and support as we all remember the amazing man and memories that he has left behind.
“Ben has been such a major part of the international singing community and he was a critical part of our journey as a group.
“Thank you for your love at this difficult time.
“RIP Ben xxxx.”
His cause of death is not yet known, but Ben had posted a picture of a dialysis machine on Instagram on September 2.
4
He wrote: “Meet my new dialysis friend. What shall we call them? X”
The message was posted from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
On August 27, he uploaded a selfie from a hospital bed, writing: “Emergency nephrostomy done… hopefully the start of better things to come! #peeinabag.”
A nephrostomy is a tube that lets urine drain from the kidney through an opening in the skin on the back.
Tributes have been pouring in for the X Factor star, with one devastated fan writing: “Gutted to see this. Rest in peace Ben.
“I never forgot when you messaged years ago to thank people for their support in your new venture, such a gent, I’m so sad to see this.”
4
