Fame Academy star and musician Gary Phelan has died at the age of 42, with his friends confirming the star’s death last month on Facebook – leading heartfelt tributes.
Phelan – who was from Cramlington, Newcastle – starred on the second series of the BBC’s talent show where the hopefuls bid to impress headmaster Richard Park and judges Robin Gibb and David and Carrie Grant.
Fame Academy saw talented musicians enter a house to live and compete with each other for the following weeks, being filmed in a Big Brother format, where the students were being cut off from the outside world and filmed 24 hours a day.
During live weekly shows, Park, Grant, Grant and Gibb gave their feedback before the television audience voted to “save” their favourite student, with one student being eliminated every week.
Phelan’s death was confirmed by his friends on social media last month, with one tribute on Facebook reading: “We had some wonderful times together in our twenties. I played bass for him for 5 years, he took me on a journey touring the UK and recording in top studios.
“We partied, we played and we worked our a*****s off. Gary opened up the world for me musically and professionally and we shared some once-in-a-lifetime moments together – I’ll always be grateful.”
Another added: “I felt the same the first time I saw him he was 17 doing an audition in the metro centre, what 17 year old could stand on a stage and sing a song he had written and mastered, only Gary had real talent. And also a loving caring family, who supported him all the way.
“He was a superstar from the beginning, I also loved him sending his new songs. brilliant such a talented young man. What a loss, he was part of my extended family. Will miss him forever.”
A third said: “I’m so sorry. When I was in Dubai I was speaking to him. I didn’t get a chance to see him sing. He was really happy and loved it. Big hugs.”
The post added that Phelan’s family are “desperately trying to bring him home from Dubai which costs a considerable amount”, linking to the donation page.
An update on the JustGiving page today confirmed Phelan’s body was brought home to the UK over the weekend, after raising more than £11,000.
Phelan’s manager, Simon Hanning, added: “I am beyond devastated and can’t as yet put into words how this news has left his family and friends feel. He was loved by so many people, and I am already missing our chats, his sending me the 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 heartbroken.” (sic)
Phelan’s time at Fame Academy saw him make it into the famous shared house and was saved by his fellow students and then twice by Fame Academy fans before becoming the fourth student to be sent home.
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Despite being booted from the show, Phelan continued with his music and toured the country and continued writing and recording music.
He recently moved to Dubai where he continued to perform in the pub and bar circuit in the UAE at venues like McCafferty’s Irish Pub.
