Dean Franklin, The Voice UK star who was mentored by Paloma Faith on the show in 2016, has died aged 36.
The singer-songwriter was diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer in December 2025 and had been keeping his social media followers updated on his treatment over the past eight weeks.
In a Facebook post from Dean’s family, they wrote: ‘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 [9:40pm] last night…
‘He was surrounded by love. I have been getting MSG’s 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’.
He issued a final message to Instagram followers last week, sharing a health update.
In the video, he said: ‘Over the last few weeks my life has changed very fast. What started as oesophageal cancer ended up spreading aggressively to my liver and weirdly, I had almost no symptoms from the oesophagus itself.
After describing some of the health challenges he’s faced in recent weeks, he continued: ‘Sometimes cancer doesn’t shout where it starts. Sometimes it whispers and shows itself somewhere else.
‘Right now I’m in palliative care. I’ve chosen to keep fighting with chemo even though it has been incredibly tough. Some days have been harder than others, especially at nighttime.
The late father-of-one then shared his gratitude for his family and his thanks to all the supportive messages and love. ‘I feel every single piece of it,’ he added and urged people to ‘listen to their body and push for answers’.
The Voice host Emma Willis commented at the time: ‘Sending so much love Dean.’
Under another post from just two weeks ago in which Franklin revealed he planned to continue chemotherapy, Paloma herself commented: ‘You’re so brave.’
What is oesophageal cancer?
According to the NHS website, oesophageal cancer is found anywhere in the oesophagus, sometimes called the gullet or food pipe.
Symptoms can include: having problems swallowing, heartburn or acid reflux, indigestion symptoms and feeling or being sick.
Anyone can get it, but you might be more at risk if you:
- are over the age of 75 (it’s not very common in people under 45)
- are a man
- have certain conditions, such as long-term, severe acid reflux (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), or Barrett’s oesophagus.
The late music artist gained a following after he appeared on the reality singing competition in 2016, where he impressed the judges with his rendition of The Eton Rifles by Kelly Jones and Paul Weller during the blind audition.
He went on to join Paloma Faith’s team and, in recent years, continued his music career with live performances and released a new song titled I Wish I Knew.
After his diagnosis two months ago, he launched a GoFundMe ahead of his chemotherapy to help with the ‘significant financial pressure’, which had raised over £31,000.
Also a popular street performer, Frankline put on one last emotional show in London’s Piccadilly Circus, as he promised in his GoFundMe.
In a tribute after his death, Heartburn Cancer Charity UK, wrote: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Dean Franklin.
‘Dean was taken far too young by oesophageal cancer, and at a shocking speed.
‘Despite everything he was facing, Dean showed incredible strength and a clear wish to raise awareness, so that others might be helped through his experience.’
