The singer's family confirmed his tragic death, adding that he had diabetes and was receiving dialysis treatment(Image: GETTY)

Diabetes warning signs after death of Five Star member Stedman Pearson confirmed

by · Wales Online

Stedman Pearson, who was part of the iconic pop group Five Star alongside his siblings, has died at the age of 60 on March 10. His sister and bandmate, Deniece Pearson, revealed in a statement to PA News agency on Thursday that the star “was on dialysis and he had diabetes”.

Diabetes is not an uncommon condition with around almost 4.6 million people in the UK living with the diagnosis. However, a further worrying 1.3 million people likely don’t know that they are diabetic, according to Diabetes UK.

Experts at the charity highlighted a comprehensive list of symptoms that should signal alarm bells if you start experiencing it suddenly:

Suddenly needing the toilet a lot, especially at night.

  • Being really thirsty
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Losing weight without trying to
  • Genital itching or thrush
  • Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
  • Blurred eyesight
  • Increased hunger

However, they also warned: “These symptoms can affect anyone - adult or child. But some are more commonly experienced by people with type 1 diabetes, and can come on really quickly….but you should always contact your GP, just to make sure.”

A number of studies has shown that diabetes can shorten a person’s lifespan. How many years it shaves off depends on what type they have and what treatment they receive.

Stedman formed the iconic British pop band Five Star with his four siblings(Image: GETTTY)

Diabetes can also trigger secondary conditions. For example, diabetic kidney disease which can lead to kidney failure and require dialysis or even a kidney transplant.

In the family’s heartbreaking statement, they assured fans the singer was “a gentleman to the very end”. It concluded: “May the memories and love he gave to us and the world be our greatest comfort. He will be deeply missed."

Stedman shot to fame when he was 19 alongside his siblings, Deniece, Lorraine, Doris, and Delroy Pearson, when they formed the band Five Star in 1983. The band enjoyed six top 10 singles in UK charts.

This included iconic British pop hits like System Addict, Can’t Wait Another Minute, and Rain Or Shine. They also won the Best British Group at the Brit Awards in 1987, beating other popular groups at the time like the Pet Shop Boys and Eurythmics.