UPDATE: Simon Cowell provided a statement: “As a father myself, I simply cannot imagine the heartbreak Tom and his family are going through and will be personally reaching out to him. From my family to his, we extend our deepest condolences and all of our love during this tragic time.”
X Factor UK alum Tom Mann endured an unthinkable tragedy over the weekend. His fiancée died just hours before their wedding. Dani Hampson a 34 year old publicist had no obvious health issues. A cause of death has not been released.
She had posted photos of her and Tom alongside their 8 month old son Bowie just days before she died. Originally, the couple were set to marry in September 2020, but they postponed their wedding due to the pandemic.
Tom was a member of the 8 person boy band Stereo Kicks that competed on X Factor UK in 2014. The group, manufactured on the show, was only together for one single post-competition and split up in 2015. James Graham, who won the FOX competition The Four season 2 in 2018, was also a member.
Tom announced the news on Instagram.
“I can’t believe I am writing these words but my darling Dani – my best friend, my everything and more, the love of my life – passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning, 18th June,” Tom wrote. “On what was supposed to be the happiest day of our lives ended in irreversible heartbreak. I feel like I have cried an ocean. We never made it to the altar; or got to say our vows, or dance our first dance, but I know you know that you were my entire world and the best thing that has ever happened to me, Danielle. I will wear this ring that I was always supposed to wear as a sign of my unconditional love to you.”
“I am completely broken trying to process this…”
“I am completely broken trying to process this and I honestly don’t know where to go from here,” Tom wrote. “but I do know I need to use any strength I can muster for our little boy. I will not be a mark on the parent that you had already become but I promise I will do my everything to raise Bowie just the way we always wanted. I promise you he will know how amazing his mummy was. I promise to make you so so proud.”
“The most beautiful person inside and out. The most incredible soul. We have lost such a special person and I am sure we are about to see an abundant outpouring of love that reflects that. I will try to find peace in your messages and comments, but right now I am grieving and I will be for a very, very long time.” Tom ended the sad message, “My darling Dani, the brightest light in any room, my world is nothing but darkness without you. I will miss you forever.”
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Tom auditioned as a solo singer on X Factor UK 2014, was placed in boy band Stereo Kicks
Tom auditioned for X Factor UK with “I Want it That Way” by Backstreet Boys. But that came after Simon taunted him, criticizing his first song, saying he was getting by on his looks.
Here are Stereo Kicks singing “Run” by Leona Lewis. The clip has 10 million views The group was eliminated in 5th place.
