X Factor star Danny Dearden dies aged 34 as former judge pays tribute

Former X Factor contestant Danny Dearden has sadly died, his manager has confirmed.

The singer and songwriter, 34, made it to the Judges Houses stage of the competition back in 2014.

He was mentored by Mel B on the ITV series, before enjoying success as a vocalist and songwriter away from the show.

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Manager Denise Beighton led tributes to Danny, as she said: "Heartbroken to wake up to the news that you’re gone. I have no words right now, rest easy beautiful boy."

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."

In 2021, he signed a deal with Sentric Music after garnering over 15 million streams on Spotifty.

His song in collaboration with French producer Michael Calfan, Could Be With You, has racked up nearly 14 million Spotify streams and was featured on ITV's Love Island.

Talking about working with Michael Calfan, Danny said back in 2018: "It was amazing working with him.

"At the time of the first session, when we wrote 'It’s Wrong', I hadn’t had a lot of experience in a studio of that scale, so it was quite nerve-racking, but everyone made me feel at ease.

"He is one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever met, although it can be difficult at times because he has the strongest French accent I’ve ever heard, that mixed with my Northern/Lancashire/Manc accent we had to repeat ourselves a few times."

Speaking about the song's success, he added: "Yeah, it’s mental that amount of streams, we are nearly at three-quarters of a million and we haven’t even started the promotion we have planned yet. Seeing people like Martin Garrix and Martin Solveig add it to their personal playlist is crazy."

Danny also worked as an anti-bullying campaigner and visited schools to educate students on online safety.

On The X Factor, Danny faced tough competition in the same category as Jake Quickenden, Andrea Faustini, Jack Walton, Jordan Morris, and Paul Akister.

He went to Mexico to sing for judge and Spice Girls star Mel B, where he sang a rendition of Kelly Clarkson's Beautiful Disaster.

Danny didn't make the cut as Mel chose to send Andrea, Paul and Jake through to the live shows instead.

Paying tribute to the former contestant, Mel 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."