Dean Franklin, Former Voice UK Contestant, Dead After Cancer Diagnosis

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The British music community is mourning one of their own. 

Dean Franklin, who competed on The Voice UK, passed away on February 7th after a short battle with stage 4 esophageal cancer. He was 36 years old, his mother, Marie, confirmed.

She shared the sad news on Facebook on February 8th, saying they were devastated to announce the passing of their son, Dean Franklin. After a brave fight lasting over eight weeks, Dean passed away peacefully last night at 9:39 PM, surrounded by his family’s love.

In the heartbreaking photo, Dean’s family members held his hand as he lay in a hospital bed.

Marie shared that she’d received many messages this morning and wanted to express her hope that her son would find the courage to speak with everyone. She said the family will share a more detailed update when they’re ready, and they are incredibly grateful for all the love and support people have shown Dean and their family.

Just weeks before he passed away, a former contestant on The Voice UK—who had been mentored by Paloma Faith—revealed he had been diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer, a disease affecting the cells in the esophagus, as explained by Cleveland Clinic. After sharing this difficult news, Dean spoke openly about his experience with the illness.

In a video posted to Instagram on January 30th, Dean shared that his life has changed rapidly recently. He explained that what began as esophageal cancer quickly spread to his liver, and surprisingly, he hadn’t experienced many symptoms related to his esophagus.

He explained that cancer doesn’t always announce itself with obvious symptoms at its origin. Often, it’s more subtle, revealing itself through problems in other parts of the body.

The former busker went on to detail his treatment for the disease.

“Right now, I’m in palliative care while still continuing treatment,” Dean shared. “I’ve chosen to keep fighting with chemo even though it has been incredibly tough. Some days have been harder than others, especially the nighttime.”

But even with his pain, Dean noted how supported he felt throughout his health battle.

As he put it, “Every bit of love, I feel every single piece of it.”

He emphasized the importance of listening to your body, seeking explanations for any health concerns, and not dismissing changes. He also stressed that early check-ups are crucial.

After hearing about Dean’s passing, his coach on The Voice UK shared a touching message of sympathy with his family and friends.

Paloma shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling the person a talented and beautiful soul. She expressed her sympathy to their family, especially their daughter, and offered a final farewell.

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2026-02-10 20:17