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

Just weeks before his death, The Voice UK season 5 contestant—who was coached by Paloma Faith—shared his devastating stage 4 esophageal cancer diagnosis, which is a form of cancer that affects cells in the esophagus, according to Cleveland Clinic. Following his announcement, Dean opened up about his health journey.

“Over the last few weeks, my life has changed very fast,” Dean said in a Jan. 30 Instagram video. “What started as esophageal cancer ended up spreading aggressively to my liver and weirdly, I had almost no symptoms from the esophagus itself.”

“Sometimes cancer doesn’t shout where it starts,” he explained. “Sometimes it whispers and shows itself somewhere else."

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.”

“And if there’s one thing that I’d ask is please listen to your body,” he added, “push for answers, don’t ignore changes and early checks really, really, really do matter.”

Following the news his death, Dean’s Voice UK coach expressed her grief with a heartfelt note to his loved ones.

“Such a talented and beautiful soul,” Paloma wrote on her Instagram Stories. “My heart goes out to your family and particularly your very loved daughter. Xxxx rip.”