Dean Franklin, the former contestant on The Voice UK, has died at the age of 36.
The musician and street performer from London had revealed in December that he had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, and yesterday (February 9), his mother Marie posted on social media to confirm he had passed away.
“As a family we are truly heartbroken to announce that our precious boy who fought so courageously over eight weeks and three days passed over at 21:39pm last night,” she wrote.
“He was surrounded by love. I have been getting [messages] from people this morning and wanted as his ma to manifest my son’s courage to share with you all,” she added. “As a family we will post in more length when we are able. Until then please know that the love you gave to our Dean and all of us has meant so very much.”
Franklin was a contestant on the 2016 season of the television singing contest, where he was mentored by Paloma Faith.
Since revealing his diagnosis in December, Franklin had been updating his followers on his cancer journey, with Emma Willis, the presenter of The Voice UK, commented on one post: “Sending you so much love Dean.”
Faith also wrote: “You are so brave”, to which Franklin had replied: “Thank you for the love, P. I’m holding onto every bit of it right now.”
Franklin had been a campaigner for the rights of buskers in recent years and on January 10, he played one final gig outside at Piccadilly Circus, with one viral clip showing him singing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’.
“I really hope and pray this is not the last time,” he told the assembled crowd, with one person shouting out: “Look at what one human being can do!”
Franklin posted his final video on January 30 from a palliative care clinic. He is survived by his 17-year-old daughter.
