BEN Thapa rose to fame when he took part in The X Factor.
The star was previously part of boyband G4 before it was announced he had passed away. Here’s everything we know about Ben.
Ben Thapa was an opera singer born on March 2, 1982 in Cambridge.
He was raised by a single mother and went into foster care when he was 11.
It was then that he found his love for singing after starting lessons and joining his local church choir.
He continued his passion for music into his education as he studied at Royal Northern College of Music for a year before transferring to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he graduated from in 2004.
He then graduated from the Wales International Academy of Voice in 2013.
Ben was on The X Factor in 2004.
He was part of classical opera quartet G4 who came runners-up.
The group managed to sign a £1.5million album deal with Sony after the show.
The band released a self-titled debut album in 2005 and topped the UK charts.
Their second album, G4 & Friends, entered the charts at number six.
After the release of their third album in 2007, the group announced on GMTV that they would be splitting.
The split is said to have been down to some members not getting along.
They ended up getting back together in 2014 and did regular gigs.
He left the group back in 2018 but carried on with a solo career.
It was announced that Ben passed away on September 8, 2024 at the age of 42.
His former bandmates in G4 shared the news on social media.
They wrote: “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.”
Fans of the singer left their tributes as they found out the sad news.
One said: “A complete shock and utterly heart breaking for everyone who knew him. Love to you all. RIP Ben x”
As a second wrote: “Such a shock. Such a nice guy too. Thoughts are with all who knew him.”
