Britain’s Got Talent fans are mourning the loss of a gifted alum.
Chantel Bellew, a professional dancer who competed on season 13 of the British competition show in 2019, has died, her family confirmed on a GoFundMe page. She was 34.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Chantel,” a spokesperson for the family Daniel McErlean, shared on the fundraising page. “Chantel was more than a daughter, wife, sister, niece, cousin and friend. Chantel was a talent second to none who was the life and soul of every party.”
Indeed, while Chantel did not advance very far on Britain’s Got Talent—being eliminated in the quarter-finals round just after her audition—she made a memorable impact on the show’s hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, known as duo Ant & Dec.
Chantel showed off just how impressed the presenters were with her audition performance in a post on Instagram in March 2019, where they gasped during her impressive on-stage quick change. She added in the caption, “Keep your eye out on BGT.”
The audition was not televised, but Chantel proved her dancing chops off-camera, showing off how she taught Strictly Come Dancing judge and skilled ballroom dancer Anton Du Beke a thing or two about tap amid rehearsals.
As she wrote in a May 14, 2019 Instagram post, “Great Day teaching Anton Du Beke some Tap today.”
And the pair appeared to hit it off, with Anton jokingly adding in the accompanying video of the post, “We’d be delighted if you need a private lesson—much love.”
Beyond showcasing her dancing skills, she also taught at studios across the U.K., and often highlighted students’ work she was particularly proud of on her Instagram.
One video sees her leading a group of young girls to a choreographed routine to “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” from the Lion King, Chantel gushed, “These little stars learning some new tap steps.”
In addition to her dancing talents, Chantel’s loved ones described her as “a kind, loving, and passionate spirit who brought joy and laughter to so many.”
While they did not share Chantel’s cause of death, her family—which includes parents Jill Dawson and Paul Ballew—are currently raising money for a mental health support organization and to ensure they “give Chantel the showbiz farewell she deserves.”
As they put it in their GoFundMe statement, “We want to honor her life and the beautiful impact she had on everyone who knew her.”
