Mel B has released an emotional statement following the death of Danny Dearden, who she had previously mentored at the judge’s houses stage of ITV talent contest, The X Factor

Spice Girl’s star Melanie Brown has released an emotional statement following the death of Danny Dearden. The X Factor singer died at the age of 34. He had previously made it through to Mel B’s house at the Judges house stage of the reality TV show in 2014.

Mel B mentored him before he found success away from the show. Now, Mel has shared her sorrow on social media. Taking to Instagram, she wrote: “Tragic news hearing Danny Dearden has passed. I remember him back in his X Factor days and how talented you always were but also how kind to everyone.”

Sharing love heart emojis, Mel ended: “Sending love to anyone who knew Danny.” She wrote the post over an image of the singer. It was announced that the late singer had secretly been suffering from a “long health battle” prior to his death, a representative confirmed.

Singer Melanie Brown has shared a moving statement following Danny’s death
In 2014, he travelled to Mel B’s Judge’s House in Mexico. There, he gave his rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s Beautiful Disaster for the Spice Girl and former bandmate, Emma Bunton. However, he didn’t make the final cut, being pipped at the post by fellow contestants Jake Quickenden, Andrea Faustini and Paul Akister.

Despite missing out on one of the three places in the final of the popular TV talent show at the time, Danny went on to have a successful career as a vocalist and songwriter.

Following the news of his death, manager Denise Beighton said: “Heartbroken to wake up to the news that you’re gone. I have no words right now, rest easy beautiful boy.”

The Spice Girls star shared a snap of Danny taken during his X Factor audition ( 
Image:
Instagram/officialmelb)
In a statement, his team said: “We are heartbroken to announce the sad loss of our dear friend and artist Danny Dearden, who passed away peacefully this morning after a long illness. Danny was one of the most talented, hardworking people we have worked with and has made a big mark on the industry amassing more than 30 Million Streams and collaborating with huge dance names such as Michael Calfan and Dario G. RIP Danny.”

Among others sharing tributes to the star was singer John McDermott. His touching tribute read: “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.”

Danny previously admitted he found out he could sing while he was “getting drunk with the lads”. Coming from a background in joinery, Danny was not the typical X Factor contestant as he said he found his singing voice when he drunkenly took to the stage to sing karaoke with his pals.

He said in 2014: “I know I sang pretty average in the first audition, I know I didn’t sing well. I thought, ‘I’ve got to up my game here’.”

Danny taking part in the Judges’ House on X Factor“It was only when I started doing karaoke with the lads that I realised I could sing. I was about 18. It was a bit weird, I didn’t take it seriously at first, it was just getting drunk with the lads now and again and then it became every weekend.”

Seven years after his stint on the ITV singing contest, Danny signed a deal with Sentric Music. It came after he had amassed over 15 million streams on Spotify.

His collaboration with French producer Michael Calfan, Could Be With You – has topped nearly 14million Spotify streams and has been played on BBC Radio 1 Party Anthems with Scott Mills. It also featured on ITV’s Love Island.

He had previously posted on Instagram in December 2023 talking about how the NHS had saved his life.

He said at the time: “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.”

He also spoke on social media last year saying he had not been in the “best of health recently.”

His last social media post saw the singer share a photo on Instagram from hospital. Back in December, he uploaded an image of a Costa Coffee takeaway cup. There was a blue curtain and medical equipment seen behind it and he hashtagged the photo “hot chocolate,” also adding: “The best thing since sliced bread.”