AN X Factor star who has died aged just 34 shared a tragic last post from hospital.
Danny Dearden was 23 when he made it through to the judges’ houses on Simon Cowell‘s music competition.
But the sad news of his passing was announced on Instagram by his agent Denise Beighton today.
Ms Beighton wrote: “Heartbroken to wake up to the news that you’re gone. I have no words right now. Rest easy beautiful boy.”
Mel B has since paid a heartwarming tribute to Danny after his tragic death.
The Spice Girls star exclusively told The Sun: “This is so very, very sad. I remember clearly the impact he made on me.
“I feel deeply for his family and friends – God rest his soul.”
Danny had made it into Mel B’s final six but did not make the cut for the live finals on the X Factor.
He shared a picture on his official Insta account showing a Costa hot chocolate from hospital weeks before his death.
The former joiner had previously posted in December 2023 about how the NHS had saved his life.
He wrote: “This year has been a bit of a rocky one, at one point I was told I probably wouldn’t be here today…well I am.“
The Littleborough artist also said he wasn’t in the “best of health recently” on social media last year.
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Danny’s rendition of If You Love Me by Brownstone struck a chord with the former Mel B.
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.”
