X FACTOR legend and G4 star Ben Thapa has died aged 42 after a “short illness”.
Emotional tributes have been pouring in for the “great friend and amazing man” after his former G4 colleagues broke the tragic news on social media.
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Emotional tributes pour in for ‘great friend and amazing man’Credit: Instagram
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Ben, second from left, with his G4 colleagues at the summit in 2005. Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Thapa began his career as a member of a classical opera quartet, which was runner-up on ITV’s The X Factor in 2004.
The group secured a £1.5m album deal with Sony after finishing second in the programme.
Steve Brookstein, who was mentored by Simon Cowell, won the championship during the first season of the program.
G4 was part of Louis Walsh’s team, as he looked after the groups.
Thapa, a low tenor, was part of G4 at the time along with bandmates Jon Ansell, Matt Stiff and Mike Christie.
He left the group in 2018, but continued his performing career.
G4 posted two pictures of the star on Instagram today, writing: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden death of our brother and great friend, Ben Thapa.
“Words cannot describe how we all feel right now.
“We understand this will be heartbreaking news for many others as well and we send you our love and support as we all remember an amazing man and the memories he left behind.
“Ben has been such an important part of the international singing community and has been a key part of our journey as a group.
“Thank you for your love in this difficult time.
“RIP Ben xxxx.”
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Ben posted on Instagram a week ago, writing: ‘Emergency nephrostomy done…hopefully the start of better things to come!’Credit: Instagram
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Ben Thapa in London, 2005. The cause of his death is not yet known, but Ben posted a picture of the dialysis machine on Instagram on September 2 Credit: Getty
Ben’s cause of death is not yet known, but on September 2, he posted a picture of the dialysis machine on Instagram.
He wrote: “Meet my new friend on dialysis. What shall we call them? X”
The message was released from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
On August 27, he also uploaded a selfie from his hospital bed, writing: “Emergency nephrostomy done…hopefully the start of better things to come! #peeinabag.”
A nephrostoma is a tube that allows urine to drain from the kidney through an opening in the skin on the back.
Artist management group Steven Swales posted a tribute to Ben on their website.
Who are G4?
Opera group G4 became famous in the first series of X Factor in 2004.
They became an instant hit with their repertoire of popular songs including My Way and Circle of Life.
But it was their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody that became their signature song, topping the charts in 2005.
Their self-titled debut album went straight to number 1 and sold more than 245,000 copies in its first week.
It was the fastest selling album of the year.
G4 subsequently released three albums, selling over two million copies in the UK.
They have also released the DVD “Live at The Royal Albert Hall”, the autobiographical book “G4: Our Way” and completed five sold-out tours across the UK and Ireland.
This included a tour of the cathedral where they sang acoustically.
In 2007, the group decided to disband to pursue individual interests.
A statement on their website said it was a “group decision”, but reports at the time said they had decided to part ways after a series of arguments.
Jonathan Ansell said: “We’d row over the tiniest little things – if one of us didn’t look smart enough or didn’t have a good shave.”
Ben Thapa told the Daily Mail: “We didn’t want to drag it out for a few more years, more and more nagging at each other.
“We’re still friends and we want to stay friends, but we won’t if we continue in the G4.”
But seven years later, on 17 November 2014, they reunited at London’s Barbican Center to celebrate their 10th anniversary since appearing on The X Factor.
The band revisited the ‘One Night Only’ aspect of the concert and a 20 date tour was announced.
They reprized their classic hit covers, but also tackled recent hits of the time, including Let It Go, Happy and Uptown Funk.
In February 2017, G4 released their fifth album ‘G4 Love Songs’, recorded with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Prague.
In July 2018, low tenor Ben Thapa announced on Twitter that he was leaving the group with immediate effect to focus on his operatic career.
For the 2019 Christmas season, they embarked on their biggest festive tour ever, with 28 shows at cathedrals, along with Leeds and Hull Town Halls and the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
In 2020, they were supposed to go on a brand new ‘G4 Live’ tour and their ‘G4 Christmas’ tour, but all had to be postponed due to COVID.
They wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death, after a short illness, of Ben Thapa.
“It was a great privilege to know him and work with him.
“Ben was known for his performances in oratorio, opera and as a member of the vocal group G4.
“He will be missed by many and we send our thoughts to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Tributes have been pouring in for the X Factor star, with one devastated fan writing: “Sick to see this. Rest in peace Ben.
“I’ve never forgotten when you sent a note years ago to thank people for their support in your new venture, such a gentleman, I’m so sad to see that.”
Another fan, responding to the band’s Instagram post, wrote: “So sorry to hear such sad news. Sending you all love.”
A third said: “What a shock. And such a good guy. Thoughts are with everyone who knew him.”
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Clockwise from left: Michael Christie, Ben Thapa, Matthew Stiff and Jonathan Ansell from G4 2004 Credit: Rex
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