X Factor star and G4 band member Ben Thapa has died aged 42.
Emotional tributes have poured in for the ‘great friend and amazing man’ after his ‘sudden’ death was announced on Monday.
The cause of death is currently unknown. The tenor revealed he was in hospital last week after he shared a photo on his Instagram of a dialysis machine.
Prior to his sad passing, the opera singer revealed he underwent a nephrostomy in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on August 27 and said it was ‘hopefully the start of better things to come’.
A nephrostomy is a tube that lets urine drain from the kidney through an opening in the skin on the back.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Emergency nephrostomy done… hopefully the start of better things to come! #peeinabag’
On July 9, Ben also hinted at another health scare as he shared a photo of an IV drip in his hand, but didn’t disclose why.
The singer was a part of the band G4 and appeared in the competition in 2005, under Louis Walsh’s wing, with bandmates Jonathan Ansell, Mike Christie and Matt Stiff.
The group’s Instagram account revealed the devastating news with a saddened posts alongside pictures of Ben.
It read: ‘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’
Just last month, Ben posted happy selfies while sipping cocktails at a football match in Hove.
After G4 posted the devastating news, fans flocked to the comments to share heartfelt tributes about Ben.
Some wrote: ‘A complete shock and utterly heartbreaking for everyone who knew him. Love to you all. RIP Ben x’,
‘I’m so so sorry to hear this news. What an awful shock. Thinking of you all xx’,
‘Such a shock. Such a nice guy too. Thoughts are with all who knew him’,
‘So so sorry to hear such sad news. Sending love to you all ❤️’,
‘So sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with Ben’s family and you all.’,
‘You will always remain in our hearts. Thank you for all the beautiful moments you gave us and for all the music of the heart’.
Artist management group Steven Swales posted a tribute to Ben on their website.
They wrote: “We are hugely sad to announce the death, after a short illness, of Ben Thapa. It was a huge privilege to know and work with him. Ben was well known for his performances in oratorio, opera, and as a member of the vocal group G4.
‘He will be missed by so many, and we send our thoughts to his family, friends, and colleagues.’
G4 rose to fame in 2004 when they finished second on series one of the X Factor. Steve Brookstein crowned champion.
The group had secured a £1.5million album deal with Sony after they finished second on the show.
After G4’s success on X Factor, the group disbanded in 2007 and cited disagreements between members.
In 2014, the band reunited to mark their 10-year anniversary and performed numerous shows around the country.
They released an album for Christmas in 2015. Ben left the group in 2018 but continued performing solo.
The band currently consists of original members tenor Ansell and baritone Christie, with Jai McDowall joining after Lewis Raines left in 2023.
G4 frontman Jon Ansell said: ‘We applied for The X Factor as a bit of fun in the hope of securing a positive quote from lead judge Simon Cowell for our upcoming college concert poster. We could never have imagined where this would subsequently lead.’
He also posted on his socials: ‘Numb…Tonight’s show is going to be so hard. Sorry for the tears x’
Tonight G4 are performing at the Leicester Square Theatre in London as part of a 72-date tour.
Twenty years after their debut performance, G4 are this year celebrating their 20th Anniversary with two headline tours in the UK and Ireland, with current line-up Jon Ansell, Jai McDowall, Mike Christie, Duncan Sandilands.
‘It’s a sobering reminder to seize every moment, cherish your loved ones, and to count your blessings every day’, said G4 bass singer Duncan.
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