G4, who rose to fame in 2004 when they made it to the final of ITV's first series of X Factor, announced their former band member's death on Instagram saying: "Words cannot express how we all feel right now."

Thapa was one of the original members of the vocal troupe, which came second in the 2004 X Factor contest, but he left the group in 2018 to pursue his own music career.

G4's tribute added: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our brother and great friend, Ben Thapa.

"We understand that this will be heartbreaking news for so many others too and we send you our love and support as we all remember the amazing man and memories that he has left behind.

"Ben has been such a major part of the international singing community and he was a critical part of our journey as a group.

"Thank you for your love at this difficult time. RIP Ben xxxx."

Tributes have poured in for the tenor, with pianist Chris Glynn saying on X that Thapa was "hugely talented, generous, big-hearted & taken far too soon. RIP Ben".

One fan replied to G4's post saying: "Can hardly believe this... he was far too young."

Thapa competed on The X Factor alongside G4's original members Jonathan Ansell, Michael Christie and Matthew Stiff. Ansell and Christie are still in the band's line-up today but, like Thapa, Stiff went on to leave the group for other projects.

During their time on the show, the group impressed the judges with renditions of classics like Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, Frank Sinatra's My Way and Nessun Dorma.

They released their self-titled debut album the following year, which contained mostly covers of popular songs, including a number that they sang on The X Factor.

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Thapa's operatic credits included Tito in La Clemenza di Tito for Teatru Manoel, The President in Mittwoch aus Licht for the Birmingham Opera and Siegfried in The Quest For The Ring at the Royal Festival Hall in association with Opera North.

In 2020, he made his main stage debut at the English National Opera as part of their Carmen education project.