Gary Phelan, who rose to prominence on the BBC's Fame Academy, has died at the age of 42.
The singer appeared in the second series of the music competition - broadcast in 2003 - and made it through to the main lineup, being voted off fourth.
Originally a Newcastle native but more recently working in the UAE, Phelan died suddenly last month, according to friends and family on social media.
The star's manager Simon Hanning wrote: "I am beyond devastated and can't as yet put into words how this news has left his family and friends feeling.
"He was loved by so many people, and I am already missing our chats, his sending me his latest song he'd written and the general banter we had.
"We did some amazing things together, he was everything you would ask of a friend. I'm truly heart broken."
A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Neil Wilkes
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