Singer Dean Franklin, who competed on The Voice UK in 2016, has died at the age of 36, just eight weeks after being diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer. The information was confirmed by his family on Sunday night.
Born in London, Franklin rose to national prominence after appearing on the music reality show under the mentorship of singer Paloma Faith. According to a statement shared on Facebook, the artist “fought bravely until the end” and was surrounded by love at the time of his death. The family said further details will be released later.
Since the diagnosis, the singer had been updating fans and followers on social media about his treatment and the pain he endured during chemotherapy, which began only a few weeks earlier. The posts prompted an outpouring of support from fellow contestants, including Paloma Faith herself and host Emma Willis.
In one of his most moving posts, Franklin paid tribute to his mother, Marie, highlighting the support he received during the most difficult period of the illness. Last month, he also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help his family cope with treatment costs and everyday expenses, explaining that the initiative aimed to ease financial pressure and ensure support for his daughter.
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Before beginning chemotherapy, the singer fulfilled one last wish: he returned to the streets to perform as a musician at Piccadilly Circus in London. The performance, seen as a farewell, moved passers-by and was widely shared on social media.
@saibadetudonewsDean Franklin’s final performance at Piccadilly Circus Before beginning chemotherapy, the singer fulfilled one last wish: he returned to the streets to perform as a musician at Piccadilly Circus, in London. The performance, seen as a farewell, deeply moved passers-by and was widely shared across social media. Instagram @deanfranklinmusic♬ original sound – sdt news
The death of Dean Franklin has sparked an outpouring of grief among The Voice UK fans and across the British music community, who remember the artist for his journey, his openness in sharing his struggle, and his bond with family and music until his final days.
Source and images: Dailystar | Instagram @deanfranklinmusic. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
