TV presenter Phillip Schofield and singer Sam Bailey are among the stars sharing their condolences following the death of musician Timmy Matley from The Overtones.
Responding to a tweet posted on the vocal harmony group’s official Twitter page, Schofield wrote: “I’m so terribly sorry to hear this and sending lots of love to you all and particularly Timmy’s family and his many friends.”
Bailey responded: “This is so very sad!!! What an amazing voice! Such a loss!!! Here for you guys x anything you need xx.”
In a separate message, the former X Factor winner wrote: “So sad to hear the news of @the-overtones singer Timmy Matley passing away this week!
“Thoughts are with all his family and friends, especially his wonderful band mates xx.”
So sad to hear the news of @the_overtones singer Timmy Matley passing away this week! Thoughts are with all his family and friends, especially his wonderful band mates xx ? pic.twitter.com/5EKiDpBPUr
— Sam Bailey Official (@SamBaileyREAL) April 11, 2018
TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal tweeted: “Awful news. Sending love x #RipTimmy.”
The Overtones announced the news of Matley’s death at the age of 36 in a statement across their social media channels.
They said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that our dear friend and brother Timmy has passed away.
“We know this news will be as heartbreaking for you all as it is for us. We appreciate your love and support at this difficult time. Mike, Darren, Mark & Lachie x.”
Matley was diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in 2016.
In a fundraising page posted on his Twitter in December, he revealed he was planning a charity skydive in order to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which he said was a cause “very close to my heart”.
The Irish singer, who was born in Cork and lived in London, was due to complete the skydive in May and had raised more than £5,000.
Previously a group of painters and decorators, The Overtones – who specialise in doo-wop performances – found fame in 2010 when they were discovered during a tea break by a talent scout as they worked at an office near London’s Oxford Street.
Matley, along with Lachie Chapman, Mike Crawshaw, Mark Franks and Darren Everest, released five albums, four of which landed in the UK top 10 in the charts, including their 2010 debut Good Ol’ Fashioned Love, which peaked at number four.
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