Take That star Howard Donald and The Spice Girls are among the stars who have paid tribute to dancer Dani Hampson after she passed away on Saturday on the morning of her wedding. Singer Howard says he's 'shocked and saddened' and 'gutted beyind words' by the tragic news.
The pop star from Higher Openshaw took to Twitter to pay tribute to Dani, who performed on Take That's Wonderland tour in 2017. He wrote: "I’m gutted beyond words that one of our dancers on Wonderland has passed away. What a beautiful and super talented dancer she was."
He added: "I’m happy to say I danced with her and the UK dance world will be shocked and saddened just like I am." On Monday (June 20) her grieving fiance Tom Mann announced his beloved partner had lost her life on the day they were set to tie the knot in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
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Singer Tom, who competed with the boyband Stereo Kicks on The X Factor in 2014, wrote: "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.
"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 alter; 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."
Tom, who welcomed baby boy Bowie with Dani in October, vowed he would 'do my everything' to raise their son on his own. He said: "I am completely broken trying to process this and I honestly don’t know where to go from here, 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."
Paying tribute to his fiancee he wrote: "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. My darling Dani, the brightest light in any room, my world is nothing but darkness without you. I will miss you forever."
Dani performed her last dance before falling pregnant with Bowie with Harry Styles in his video for Treat People With Kindness. And in January 2021 she shared her excitement at starring alongside the former One Direction heartthrob and Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Sharing snaps from the video on her Instagram she said: "As a 'small' fan of Mr @harrystyles it’s an understatement to say that it was a pleasure to be a part of this masterpiece. Practising what he preaches & is hands down one of the kindest people I’ve met, teamed with the effortlessly cool & wonderful @phoebewallerbridgeweb - This really is something I will cherish forever.2
She added: "To all the dancers I got to share these days with, unknowingly my last as a dancer. You are the sparkle this world needs & I hope you get to shine again very soon."
Dani was also a dancer for the Spice Girls on their 2019 reunion tour which came to the Etihad Stadium for three nights. Sharing a picture of her on stage in her 'Team Ginger' Union Jack costume they tweeted: "We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Dani Hampson who was part of the Spiceworld 2019 family. Sending love and strength to Tom, Bowie and Dani’s family and friends."
Sending support to Tom singer Lewis Capaldi said: "Love you brother." Fellow hitmaker Tom Grennan wrote: "I love you brother." And Ellie Goulding wrote: "I’m thinking of you non stop… You are so strong. Here for you always. Love you xxxx"
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