Musician Gary Phelan has died at the age of 42.
The singer rose to fame through his role in Fame Academy, where he appeared in the second season in 2003, which was eventually won by Alex Parks.
His death was confirmed last month by friends on social media. A cause of death has not been confirmed.
Gary’s manager Simon Hanning claimed that Gary was found in his apartment in Dubai, where he was living at the time. He had started a fundraiser to pay for the costs of bringing his body back to the UK.
He shared the following on Facebook: ‘I am so saddened to share the tragic news that my buddy, my friend and artist who I managed, Gary Phelan, was found dead in his apartment in Dubai this past weekend.’
Fame Academy star Gary Phelan has died at the age of 42. His passing was confirmed last month by friends on social media. A cause of death has not been confirmed (pictured on the show in 2003)
Gary appeared in season two of the show. Top row L-R Paris Campbell-Edwards, Barry McKeever, Simone Stewart, Nick Hall, Alex Parks, Lorna Grant, Bottom L-R: Alistair Griffin, Carolynne Good, Louise Griffiths, Gary Phelan, Peter Brame, Jamie Fox, Audley Anderson
Simon continued: ‘I am extremely shocked and cannot yet express how this news has affected his family and friends.
‘He was loved by so many people and I already miss our conversations, the times he would send me his latest song he had written and the general jokes we had.
“We did some amazing things together, he was everything you could want in a friend. I’m truly heartbroken.”
Another tribute on Facebook read: ‘We had some great times together in our twenties. I played bass for him for 5 years, he took me on a tour of the UK and recorded in top studios.
“We partied, played and worked our asses off. Gary opened up the world to me musically and professionally and we shared some once in a lifetime moments together – I will always be grateful.”
On Monday, Simon announced that they had raised enough money to return Gary’s body.
He shared on a Just Giving page: ‘Dear all, we did it! Gary was brought to the UK last weekend.
‘I spoke to Gary’s family and they were overwhelmed by the many heartfelt messages and generosity we all received as we all worked together towards one goal.
‘A further update from the family will follow in the coming days with details of Gary’s funeral.
‘But for now: Thank you all so much, I never thought we would reach the goals so quickly, everyone who could help has done their bit. Lots of love to you all and lots of love to Gary.’
Gary’s manager Simon Hanning claimed that Gary was found in his Dubai apartment, where he was living at the time, while he had started a fundraising campaign to pay for the costs of returning his body
Gary recently relocated to Dubai where he has continued to perform on the pub and bar circuit in the UAE, at venues such as McCafferty’s Irish Pub
During his time at Fame Academy, Gary ended up in the famous shared house.
He was saved by his fellow students and then twice more by Fame Academy fans before becoming the fourth student sent home.
After his stint with Fame Academy, Gary continued his music career, touring the country and writing and recording music.
He recently relocated to Dubai where he continued to perform on the pub and bar circuit in the UAE, at venues such as McCafferty’s Irish Pub.
Led by Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley, talented musicians attended the Fame Academy, where they lived in a house for the next few weeks and competed against each other.
The program was filmed in a Big Brother format, with the students cut off from the outside world and filmed 24 hours a day.
During the weekly live shows, judges Richard Park, Carrie Grant, David Grant and Robin Gibb gave their feedback, before the television audience voted to ‘save’ their favourite student.
Each week a student was eliminated until the winner was announced and awarded a 12-month contract with Mercury Records and a cash prize.
During his time at Fame Academy, Gary found himself in the famous shared house. He was saved by his fellow students and then twice more by fans before becoming the fourth student to be sent home.
