Tributes are pouring in for Lil' Chris, the star of Channel 4 Rock School fame, who has been found dead at the age of 24.
The actor, singer and TV personality, whose real name is Chris Hardman, died on Monday in his home town of Lowestoft.
The
news comes just months before the young star was preparing to launch a
pop comeback. Police have said his death is not being treated as
suspicious.
McBusted's
Harry Judd and Strictly Come Dancing's Caroline Flack are among the
celebrities who have paid tribute to the 'lovely, young lad'.
Lil Chris, whose name is Chris Hardman, who made his name on Channel 4's Rock School, has died aged 24
Kiss
frontman Gene Simmons, who propelled Chris to fame on Rock School after
making him the lead singer of a student band, also tweeted: 'Sad to
report Lil Chris from the Gene Simmons Rock School TV show, has passed
on. He was loved. RIP, Lil Chris.'
After
becoming a well-known TV star through Rock School, Chris was offered a
solo deal, going on to release his best-known hit, Checkin' It Out, in
2006.
The
song, later used in Asda's George clothing campaigns, debuted at number
13 in the UK Single Chart, and shot to Number 3 the following week.
The
news of his death comes four months before he was due to release a
comeback album, having not released one since 2008's What's It All
About.
In
December he wrote on Twitter: 'I'm planning to come back again!
Hopefully this time for a little longer! Keep sticking around for
updates. (sic)'
But earlier this month, the musician told his followers that he was considering giving up his career as a singer.
He
wrote: 'Thinking about quitting music forever...there has to come a
time eventually when I have to face reality. I'm just not good enough.
(sic)'
The star has previously been vocal about suffering with depression, mentioning the illness in two separate tweets last year.
He tweeted: 'I hope to one day create a way out of depression that doesn't mean taking your own life. The Cure.'
Tragic: Police have said that the young singer's death is not being treated as suspicious
Chris had previously been vocal about suffering with depression, posting this tweet in April last year
And
in another message he wrote: 'Depression really sucks. Learning how to
notice it can save lives and your own feelings at times. Take time to
understand it, for everybody.'
His last tweet, on Wednesday March 18, read: 'Good morning everybody! Lovely day! Love you all x.'
Today, Chris's Loserville director, Elliot Davis, toldWhatsOnStage that his early fame could have triggered the illness.
'He
was a super talented guy, so naturally gifted. He just had something
that the nation saw and it catapulted him to early fame, which perhaps
caused problems,' he said.
Allan Dodgeon, who managed Chris for a year from 2013, added that he was in 'complete shock'.
He said: 'He was an outstanding talent and it was a pleasure to work with him. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.'
The singer,
pictured left in concert in 2007 at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge and
right at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, in 2006
Chris went on to host his own talk show, Everybody Loves Lil' Chris on Channel 4, and interviewed several famous faces
Chris
first appeared on the second series of reality TV show Rock School when
he was 15. In the show, which was filmed at Kirkley High School in
Lowestoft, Gene Simmons prepared classically trained young students to
be rock stars.
Chris was selected as the frontman of the band Hoax UK.
Later,
in 2006, the young singer released his debut album after signing a deal
with RCA, triggering a huge fun base, mainly of teenager girls.
He
then went on to host his own talk show, Everybody Loves Lil' Chris on
Channel 4, on which he interviewed a number of celebrities and hosted
live music performances. The show was also made up of 'challenges' which
the guests carried out on screen.
Chris first found fame on the reality
TV show Rock School, aged 15, where Gene Simmons prepared classically
trained young students to be rock stars
Last selfie: Chris posted a picture to Twitter on March 11 asking fans whether he should cut his hair
In
2012, Chris played Francis Weir in Loserville, which was premiered in
Leeds and later moved to the Garrick Theatre in London's West End.
Lil Chris' last single was titled Christmas Number One, and was released in December 2013.
Earlier today, the singer's mother Karen Hardman posted a number of photos of her late son on Facebook to confirm the news.
His
close friend Lloyd Wilkinson, with whom he once recorded a single, paid
his respects on Facebook: 'I can not believe I'm doing this and I'm
completely devastated. Rest in peace brother bear. Love you mate. Chris
Hardman Aka Lil' Chris.'
After news of his death emerged, tributes flooded in for the young singer from fellow celebrities.
Gene Simmons, who propelled Chris to fame, tweeted the news to his fan, saying 'he was loved'
Shocked: Caroline Flack tweeted her condolences on Tuesday, calling him a 'polite lovely guy'
Old friends: Presenter Mark Rhodes shared his sadness, calling him a 'lovely young lad'
Harry Judd led the tributes from McBusted, saying he was 'shocked and saddened' by the news
The X Factor's Luke Friend said his childhood 'wouldn't be the same without this great man'
Chris performed as a support act for McFly in 2007 on their Up Close and Personal tour across the country for 24 dates.
The
band's drummer Harry Judd wrote: 'Shocked and saddened to hear the news
about Lil' Chris. He supported us a while back and was a little star
and an awesome guy. #RIPChris'
His
bandmate Dougie Poynter posted to a picture of the singer to his
Instagram with the caption: 'So sad to hear about Lil Chris. He was such
a genuinely sweet and funny guy, we had some awesome times. Our
thoughts go out to his family and friends.'
James
Bourne, one of the original Busted members, added: 'Chris . I will miss
you . Your friendship and your talent ! Rest in peace .
#RIPCJHardman'.
Dougie Poynter also called the singer 'a genuinely sweet and funny guy', praising their 'awesome times'
Fellow bandmate Tom Fletcher also said it was 'absolutely tragic' to lose the 'sweet, lovely dude'
James Bourne, also from McBusted, praised the young singer's 'friendship and talent'
Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton also paid a heartfelt tribute to the young star
TV
presenter Caroline Flack also posted: 'Oh my god . Lil Chris . He was a
regular guest on TMI. Always always such a polite lovely guy . That's
so sad.'
And Dynamo tweeted: 'RIP Chris Hardman aka lil Chris :( only 24 years old so sad!'
Coronation
Street actor Antony Cotto also paid a heartfelt tribute, writing: 'Lil
Chris has died? Totally heartbreaking. Such a funny and sweet kid.
Tragic x'
While
children's TV presenter Mark Rhodes wrote: 'Can't believe the sad news
about lil Chris. We worked with him a few years ago and he was a lovely
young lad..taken too soon. Mark #ripchris'
Other
tributes came from the X Factor's Luke Friend tweeted and Tom from
Stereo Kicks who wrote: 'Only just heard the news. So saddened and
shocked RIP @CJHardman proud to have known you. Class act. Hope you can
find happiness - Tom xxx'
Tragedy: Casting Director Anne Vosser also shared her grief after the young star's death was announced
The
news of his death comes less than four months after he revealed he was
planning a comeback to music, having not released an album since 2008's
'What's It All About'.
The Samaritans charity has offered support to anyone affected by the news of Lil Chris' death.
Fiona
Malcom, Samaritans' Deputy Chief Executive, said: 'We are saddened to
hear of the death of Chris Hardman (aka Lil' Chris) and our thoughts go
out to his loved ones.
'If
anyone has been affected by this news, or is struggling to cope, we
would like to let people know that Samaritans is here for them if they
need to talk.
'Samaritans
is here round the clock, every single day of the year, to listen and
offer confidential support when things are getting to you, by phone on
08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or you can find the details of
your local branch at www.samaritans.org.'
A
Suffolk Police spokeswoman said: 'Police investigating the sudden death
of a man in Lowestoft can confirm they are not treating it as
suspicious.
'Officers
received a call from the ambulance service on Monday 23 March at around
11:45am and attended an address following a sudden death of a
24-year-old man.
'A
post mortem examination is due to take place to establish the cause of
death and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course and an
inquest opened.'
A
spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that they
'received a call at 11.19am to a report of a man in his 20s who was
unconscious and not breathing'.
'A
paramedic in a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance officer attended
the scene. However, despite their best efforts, the patient was
declared dead at the scene.'
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