Singer and The Voice star Dean Franklin has died aged 36, just eight weeks after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.
A musician and street performer hailing from London, Franklin appeared on the singing competition series in 2016, where he was mentored by “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” singer Paloma Faith.
In mid December, Franklin shared his initial diagnosis, along with news that he was beginning chemotherapy. The cancer later spread to his lymph nodes and liver, with Franklin playing one last busking concert in January.
On Monday (9 February), news of Franklin’s death was shared by his mother Marie. Posting on Facebook, Marie said that her son had died the previous night, eight and a half weeks after his initial diagnosis.
“As a family we are truly heartbroken to announce that our precious boy who fought so courageously over eight weeks and three days passed over at 21.39pm last night...” she wrote.
“He was surrounded by love. I have been getting [messages] from people this morning and wanted as his ma to manifest my son's courage to share with you all... As a family we will post in more length when we are able. Until then please know that the love you gave to our Dean and all of us has meant so very much.”
Since mid-December, Franklin has been documenting his cancer journey online for his 30,000 Instagram followers.
Among his supporters has been Faith, who commented: “You are so brave” on one of his posts. The Voice presenter Emma Willis echoed this, saying: “Sending you so much love Dean.”
On 16 December, Franklin first shared that he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and would be starting a “quite aggressive” form of treatment “very, very quickly”. In a follow-up video posted two weeks later, he explained that the cancer was not curable.
A keen street performer who had campaigned for rights for buskers in the months before his diagnosis, Franklin announced on 10 January that he would be playing one final gig outside at Piccadilly Circus.
In a clip posted to social media from his last busking show, the singer is seen surrounded by a crowd at the central London location as he sang Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”.
“I really hope and pray this is not the last time,” he told the crowd through tears, while one audience member shouted: “Look at what one human being can do!”
His final video was posted on 30 January from palliative care, where he told his followers to listen to their bodies when it came to recognising symptoms.
Franklin is survived by his 17-year-old daughter.
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