She appeared on the show in 2019…

Earlier this year, the death of former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Chantel Bellew was announced at the age of 34. Now the tragic cause of her death has been revealed at an inquest.

Dancer Chantel first captured the hearts of the nation after she reached the quarterfinals of Series 13 in 2019. Her entertaining audition, where she performed a military-themed routine, especially impressed hosts Ant and Dec.

At the end of her performance, Chantel’s male dancers ripped off her costume, to reveal a Union Jack bodice. Ant and Dec became immediate fans after finding the reveal hilarious. She was 28 when she appeared on the show.


Chantel was 28 when she auditioned for BGT (Credit: Facebook)

Death of Britain’s Got Talent star Chantel Bellew announced

Known for her vibrant energy on stage, news broke that Chantel had died back in March, just weeks after her 34th birthday. At the time, it was thought she died in hospital following an overdose. It has been claimed that she had a long struggle with depression.

Now, an inquest has confirmed that Chantel took her own life. According to the Manchester Evening News, Chantel was rushed to hospital after taking an overdose. She died in hospital five days later.

An inquest was held at Bolton Coroners’ Court this week, where it was confirmed that Chantel died by suicide.

Her wife, Genna Timewell, said she found Chantel “stumbling down the stairs” and “walking very unsteadily and looking disorientated”. She called 999 and, after being told there was a 40-minute wait for an ambulance, took her to hospital herself.

After being admitted to intensive care, Chantel started to improve, but she sadly couldn’t be save. Recording her death as suicide, the coroner said she “took the excess of tablets knowing the outcome would almost certainly be fatal and that she deliberately did so, at the that time, when she knew that Genna was not there to stop her”.

Chantel Bellew’s glittering career

Outside of BGT, Chantel had a successful career in performance. She was also a regular entertainer on cruise ships and performed in the UK tour for The Greatest Showman.

In an Instagram video upload, Chantel shared a clip with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke, whom she revealed she taught to tap dance.

On her website, Chantel referred to herself as an “enthusiastic, professional and positive person with lots of experience in dance and musical theatre”.


Chantel taught Strictly judge Anton how to tap dance (Credit: Instagram)

‘She was a character that nobody will ever forget’

Following her sad death, her friends set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the costs of her funeral. They planned to give Chantel “the showbiz send-off she deserves”. Any remaining money would be donated to Mind, a mental health charity.

“Chantel was more than a daughter, wife, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She was a kind, loving, and passionate spirit who brought joy and laughter to so many,” they said.

“Chantel was a talent second to none who was the life and soul of every party, I am sure you will agree she was a character that nobody will ever forget,” they added.