Tragedy as X Factor and G4 star Ben Thapa, 42, dies with emotional tributes to ‘great friend and amazing man’

X FACTOR legend and G4 star Ben Thapa has died aged 42 following a “short illness”.

Emotional tributes are pouring in for the “great friend and amazing man” after his former bandmates in G4 posted the tragic news on social media.

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Thapa started his career as a member of the classical opera quartet, who were runners-up on ITV’s The X Factor in 2004.

The group had secured a £1.5million album deal with Sony after finishing second on the programme.

Steve Brookstein, who was mentored by Simon Cowell , was crowned champion during Season One of the programme.

G4 was part of Louis Walsh ‘s team, as he was looking after the groups.

Thapa, a low tenor, was at the time part of G4 along with bandmates Jon Ansell, Matt Stiff, and Mike Christie.

He left the group in 2018 but continued with his performing career.

G4 today posted two pictures of the star on Instagram, writing: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our brother and great friend, Ben Thapa.

“Words cannot express how we all feel right now.

“We understand that this will be heartbreaking news for so many others too and we send you our love and support as we all remember the amazing man and memories that he has left behind.

“Ben has been such a major part of the international singing community and he was a critical part of our journey as a group.

“Thank you for your love at this difficult time.

“RIP Ben xxxx.”

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Ben’s cause of death is not yet known, but he had posted a picture of a dialysis machine on Instagram on September 2.

He wrote: “Meet my new dialysis friend. What shall we call them? X”

The message was posted from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

On August 27, he also uploaded a selfie from a hospital bed, writing: “Emergency nephrostomy done… hopefully the start of better things to come! #peeinabag.”

A nephrostomy is a tube that lets urine 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 shot to fame on the first series of The X Factor in 2004.

Their became an instant hit with their repetoire of popular songs including My Way and Circle of Life.

But it was their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody which became their signature tune, storming the charts in 2005.

Their eponymous debut album went straight to Number 1 and sold more than 245,000 in the first week.

It was the fastest-selling album of the year.

G4 subsequently released three albums, selling more than two million copies in Britain.

They also released a “Live at The Royal Albert Hall” DVD, an autobiographical book “G4: Our Way” and completed five sell-out tours across the UK and Ireland.

This included a Cathedral Tour where they sang acoustically.

In 2007, the group decided to disband to follow individual interests.

A statement on their website said it had been a “group decision”, but reports at the time said they decided to part following a spate of rows.

Jonathan Ansell said: “We would row over the most niggling little things – one of us not looking smart enough, or not having shaved properly.”

Ben Thapa told the Daily Mail: “We did not want to drag on for another couple of years, growing increasingly resentful of each other.

“We are still friends and we want to stay friends but we won’t if we carry on in G4.”

But seven years later, on 17th November 2014, they reunited at London’s Barbican Centre to celebrate their 10th anniversary since appearing on The X Factor.

The band reconsidered the ‘One Night Only’ aspect of the show, and a 20-date tour was announced.

They reprised their classic hit covers but also tackled the recent hits at the time, including Let It Go, Happy and Uptown Funk.

In February 2017, G4 released their fifth album ‘G4 Love Songs’, recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

In July 2018, low tenor Ben Thapa announced on Twitter that he was leaving the group with immediate effect to concentrate on his opera career.

For the 2019 Christmas season, they embarked on their biggest ever festive tour, with 28 dates in cathedrals, along with Leeds and Hull City Halls and Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

In 2020 they were set to go on the brand-new tour ‘G4 Live’ and their ‘G4 Christmas’ tour, but they all had to be postponed due to COVID.

They wrote: “We are hugely sad to announce the death, after a short illness, of Ben Thapa.

“It was a huge privilege to know and work with him.

“Ben was well known for his performances in oratorio, opera, and as a member of the vocal group G4.

“He will be missed by so 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: “Gutted to see this. Rest in peace Ben.

“I never forgot when you messaged years ago to thank people for their support in your new venture, such a gent, I’m so sad to see this.”

Another fan, replying to the band’s Instagram post, wrote: “So so sorry to hear such sad news. Sending love to you all.”

A third said: “Such a shock. Such a nice guy too. Thoughts are with all who knew him.”

Rex