Singer and TV personality Lil’ Chris has died, aged 24.
The young star - full name Christopher James Hardman – found fame on Channel 4's Rock School before signing a record deal with RCA. He released his debut single Checkin' It Out in September 2006, which reached number three in the UK Singles Chart.
A statement released by Suffolk Police said that the death was not being treated as suspicious.
“Police investigating the sudden death of a man in Lowestoft can confirm they are not treating it as suspicious," read the statement.
“Officers received a call from the ambulance service on Monday 23 March at around 11:45am and attended an address in Union Road following a sudden death of a 24-year-old man.
“A post mortem examination is due to take place to establish the cause of death and a file will be passed to the coroner in due course and an inquest opened.”
The musician had been very vocal about his battle with depression in the last year. In April he told fans of his hopes of finding a cure for the illness, tweeting: "I hope to one day create a way out of depression that doesn't mean taking your own life. The Cure."
Later that year he posted: "Depression really sucks. Learning how to notice it can save lives and your own feelings at times. Take time to understand it, for everybody."
Tributes have been flooding in from family and friends since the news broke earlier today.
Strictly Come Dancing winner Caroline Flack tweeted her shock at the news, posting: “Oh my god . Lil Chris . He was a regular guest on TMI. Always always such a polite lovely guy . That's so sad.”
McBusted bassist Dougie Poynter tweeted: "So sad to hear about Lil Chris. He was such a genuinely sweet and funny guy, we had some awesome times. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends."
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4"><div> <div> <div /></div> <a rel="nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/p/0nPQasIn5E/" target="_blank" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-77861-https://instagram.com/p/0nPQasIn5E/" data-vars-event-id="c23">So sad to hear about Lil Chris. He was such a genuinely sweet and funny guy, we had some awesome times. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.</a> A photo posted by Dougie Poynter (@idougahole) on <time datetime="2015-03-24T14:03:13+00:00">Mar 24, 2015 at 7:03am PDT</time></div>
Read More
Poynter's band mate Harry Judd also paid tribute, tweeting: “Shocked and saddened to hear the news about Lil' Chris. He supported us a while back and was a little star and an awesome guy. #RIPChris.”
Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton who plays Sean Tully in the ITV soap took to Twitter to post his shock, writing: "Lil Chris has died? Totally heartbreaking. Such a funny and sweet kid. Tragic x"
