Chantel Bellew, who reached the quarter finals of Series 13 of Britain’s Got Talent, has tragically died a month after her 34th birthday following a long battle with depression
Britain’s Got Talent fans are heartbroken over the sudden death of dance teacher, Chantel Bellew. The talented performer, who made it to the quarter finals of Series 13 of the ITV reality show, died a month after her 34th birthday after a long battle with depression.
Chantel died from a suspected overdose in a tragic loss for her friends and family, who remember the star as being «the life and soul of the party», who was ‘delighted’ to have made it to Britain’s Got Talent in 2019. Following the tragic loss, the dancer’s loved ones have set up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs of her funeral, which had raised £8,200 at time of writing.
READ MORE: Chantel Bellew dead at 34: Britain’s Got Talent star and Strictly star dance teacher dies
Paying tribute to the performer, who once taught Strictly star, Anton Du Beke, how to tap dance, her friends said: «It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Chantel, as we navigate through this incredibly difficult time, we want to honour her life and the beautiful impact she had on everyone who knew her.
«Chantel was more than a daughter, wife, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She was a kind, loving, and passionate spirit who brought joy and laughter to so many.
«Chantel was a talent second to none who was the life and soul of every party, I am sure you will agree she was a character that nobody will ever forget. As Chantels friends, we would like to help the family give Chantel the showbiz farewell she deserves.»
Explaining that the proceeds from GoFundMe will go towards «funeral expenses» and «memorial services», they added any remaining money will be donated to mental health charity, Mind.
Chantel was a gifted dancer, who graced the stage in several musicals, including the Paris production of 42nd Street. However, her claim to fame was making it onto BGT, where she performed a military-themed dance routine for hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
The Geordie duo were in stitches as two male dancers ripped off her costume at the end of the performance, revealing a Union Jack bodice. Despite impressing the judges, Chantel narrowly missed out on making it to the semi-finals, but friends say she had «a brilliant time» on the popular ITV talent show.
The dancer shared a clip of her performance on her FaceBook page along with a video of her teaching Strictly jugde, Anton, how to tap dance. She captioned the video: «Great day teaching Anton some tap.»
Chantel, who lived in Widnes, Cheshire, was a dance and singing teacher in recent years. However, due to her deteriorating mental health, she quit her teaching career to work in a supermarket.
Praising her friend, Katy Glover, who is also a performer, said: «She was such a whirlwind, the life and soul of the party and such a bundle of life. She lived and breathed glamour and showbiz and she was a fantastic tap dancer, she did a number of Britain’s Got Talent which she loved, and she kept telling everyone.
«Chantel said she’d had a brilliant time and treated it as another audition because she was so professional, and she was so determined.
«She also taught Anton Du Beke tap as well because tap was her life, she was the best tapper out there. She was incredible, one of a kind, sparkly and loving and loyal.»
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