Ben Thapa’s heartbreaking final photos show the former X-Factor star was in positive spirits before receiving dialysis treatment.
The G4 band member died at the aged of 42 and emotional tributes have poured in for the ‘great friend and amazing man’ after his ‘sudden’ death was announced on Monday.
In his last photos, shared to his Instagram account over the last two weeks, the singer was in good spirits and was looking forward to his recovery.
In one snap, posted on August 27, the star gave a thumbs up to the camera as he lay in a hospital bed in a gown following his nephrostomy operation in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
A nephrostomy is a tube that lets urine drain from the kidney through an opening in the skin on the back.
Ben Thapa’s heartbreaking final photos show the former X-Factor star was in positive spirits before being on dialysis (pictured August 27)
In his last photos, shared to his Instagram account over the last two weeks, the singer was in good spirits and was looking forward to his recovery
The G4 band member died at the aged of 42 and emotional tributes have poured in for the ‘great friend and amazing man’ after his ‘sudden’ death was announced on Monday
In another photo, posted less than a week before his death, the tenor showed off his dialysis machine and jokingly captioned his photo: ‘Meet my new dialysis friend. What shall we call them? X’.
Ben seemed positive and was looking forward to new things as he captioned the photo: ‘Emergency nephrostomy done… hopefully the start of better things to come! #peeinabag’.
In another photo, posted less than a week before his tragic death, the tenor showed off his new dialysis machine.
Ben seemed upbeat about the health update and jokingly captioned his photo: ‘Meet my new dialysis friend. What shall we call them? X’.
His death was announced in a touching post on his band’s Instagram.
The singer was a part of the band G4 and appeared on The X Factor in 2005, under Louis Walsh’s wing, with bandmates Jonathan Ansell, Mike Christie and Matt Stiff.
The group’s Instagram account revealed the devastating news in a post on Monday.
It read: ‘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.
The singer was a part of the band G4 and appeared in the competition in 2005 (Ben pictured centre left with bandmates Jonathan Ansell, Mike Christie and Matt Stiff)
The group’s Instagram account revealed the devastating news with a saddened posts alongside pictures of Ben
On July 9, Ben also hinted at another health scare as he shared a photo of an IV drip in his hand, but didn’t disclose why
‘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’
Just last month, Ben posted happy selfies while sipping cocktails at a football match in Hove.
After G4 posted the devastating news, fans flocked to the comments to share heartfelt tributes about Ben.
Some wrote: ‘A complete shock and utterly heartbreaking for everyone who knew him. Love to you all. RIP Ben x’,
‘I’m so so sorry to hear this news. What an awful shock. Thinking of you all xx’,
‘Such a shock. Such a nice guy too. Thoughts are with all who knew him’,
‘So so sorry to hear such sad news. Sending love to you all ❤️’,
‘So sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with Ben’s family and you all.’,
The cause of death is currently unknown. The tenor revealed he was in hospital last week after he shared a photo on his Instagram of a dialysis machine
G4 rose to fame in 2004 when they finished second on series one of the X Factor, with Steve Brookstein crowned champion (the band pictured with Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh)
Just last month, Ben posted happy selfies while sipping cocktails at a football match in Hove
‘You will always remain in our hearts. Thank you for all the beautiful moments you gave us and for all the music of the heart’.
Artist management group Steven Swales posted a tribute to Ben on their website.
They wrote: “We are hugely sad to announce the death, after a short illness, of Ben Thapa. It was a huge privilege to know and work with him. Ben was well known for his performances in oratorio, opera, and as a member of the vocal group G4.
‘He will be missed by so many, and we send our thoughts to his family, friends, and colleagues.’
G4 rose to fame in 2004 when they finished second on series one of the X Factor, with Steve Brookstein crowned champion.
The group had secured a £1.5million album deal with Sony after they finished second on the show.
After G4’s success on X Factor, the group disbanded in 2007 and cited disagreements between members.
In 2014, the band reunited to mark their 10-year anniversary and performed numerous shows around the country.
The group had secured a £1.5million album deal with Sony after they finished second on the show but disbanded in 2007 over disagreements
In 2014, the band reunited to mark their 10-year anniversary and performed numerous shows around the country. They released an album for Christmas in 2015
They released an album for Christmas in 2015. Ben left the group in 2018 but continued performing solo.
The band currently consists of original members tenor Ansell and baritone Christie, with Jai McDowall joining after Lewis Raines left in 2023.