X Factor finalists G4 announce death of former member Ben Thapa age 42

The classical operatic group rose to fame on the primary collection of the hit ITV singing competitors in 2004, the place they completed in second.

Thapa was one of many authentic members of the vocal troupe however left in 2018 to pursue his personal music profession.

The group introduced the information on Instagram, writing: “It’s with deep disappointment that we announce the sudden passing of our brother and nice pal, Ben Thapa.

“Phrases can not specific how all of us really feel proper now…

“We perceive that this will likely be heartbreaking information for therefore many others too and we ship you our love and assist as all of us bear in mind the wonderful man and reminiscences that he has left behind.

“Ben has been such a serious a part of the worldwide singing group and he was a crucial a part of our journey as a bunch.

“Thanks on your love at this troublesome time. RIP Ben xxxx.”

Thapa competed on The X Issue alongside present members Jonathan Ansell and Michael Christie in addition to Matthew Stiff, who has additionally left the group.

Christie mentioned he was in “full shock” and the information could be “completely heartbreaking for everybody who knew him” in a tribute written within the feedback of the publish.

He added: “Like to you all. RIP Ben x.”

Ansell mentioned he was feeling “numb” following the loss of life of his former bandmate and that the group’s efficiency on Monday night could be in reminiscence of him as he reshared the publish to his Instagram Story.

The operatic group, which now consists of Ansell, Christie, Duncan Sandilands and Jai McDowall, are taking to the stage at London’s Leicester Sq. Theatre as a part of their twentieth anniversary tour.

Throughout the authentic line-up’s time on The X Issue, the group impressed the judges with renditions of classics comparable to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Frank Sinatra’s My Means and Nessun Dorma.

They launched their self-titled debut album the next 12 months, which contained largely covers of fashionable songs, together with a quantity that they sang on The X Issue.

Thapa’s operatic credit included Tito in La Clemenza di Tito for Teatru Manoel, The President in Mittwoch aus Licht for the Birmingham Opera and Siegfried for The Quest For The Ring on the Royal Competition Corridor in affiliation with Opera North.

In 2020, he made his foremost stage debut on the English Nationwide Opera as a part of their Carmen training mission.

He additionally created the roles of Dr Anton and Salieri as a part of the manufacturing The Paradis Recordsdata for Graeae Theatre Firm, which toured the UK in 2022 and carried out the function of Conan within the new opera Morrigan, carried out on the Cork Opera Home.