Matley had been in treatment for skin cancer and did not perform with the vocal group on their 2016 Christmas tour
Timmy Matley, lead singer with five-piece vocal harmony group the Overtones, has died aged 36. A representative for the band said that they had no information on the circumstances surrounding his death.
Matley, who was born in Cork, was diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma in September 2016. He did not appear with the group on that year’s Christmas tour, but returned to the stage in July 2017.
His bandmates have paid tribute on Twitter: “We know this news will be as heartbreaking for you all as it is for us. We appreciate your love and support at this difficult time. Mike, Darren, Mark and Lachie.”
This Morning host Phillip Schofield replied: “I’m so terribly sorry to hear this and sending lots of love to you all and particularly Timmy’s family and his many friends.” Sam Bailey, who won the X Factor in 2013, also paid tribute, as did Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt and the presenters of Loose Women.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Matley (centre) pictured with the Overtones in London, November 2015. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock
Matley had been due to perform a skydive in aid of the Royal Marsden hospital in Chelsea, where he had received pioneering treatment, on 4 May. His fundraising campaign has raised in excess of £5,000.
On his JustGiving page, launched in January, Matley wrote: “My latest scans look really positive, with most of the cancer in regression, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that when I have my next full scan at Christmas, I will be diagnosed NED (no evidence of disease).”
The Overtones, comprised of Matley, Mike Crawshaw, Mark Franks, Darren Everest and Lachie Champman, are a platinum-selling doo-wop vocal harmony group. They claim to have been discovered by a Warner Bros A&R person while singing on their tea break when working as decorators in a shop near London’s Oxford Street, and signed to a five-album deal.
Paul Morley Showing Off ... The Overtones Read more
Their debut album, Good Ol’ Fashioned Love, reached No 16 in the UK albums chart on its initial release in November 2010, but peaked at No 4 after being reissued in March 2011. The record has sold more than 500,000 copies. The Overtones have released five albums, often incorporating covers of popular standards. Their last release was Good Ol’ Fashioned Christmas in November 2015, which reached No 24 on the UK album chart.
The group have previously toured with Cliff Richard and appeared on a number of ITV entertainment shows. In 2011, they were the house band on Dancing on Ice.
Timmy Matley, the lead singer of The Overtones, has died aged 36, the band have confirmed.
The singer, from Cork, was diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma - a form of skin cancer - in 2016.
Matley is described as having "died suddenly" on Monday - the cause of death is not yet confirmed.
The group posted on Twitter: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce that our dear friend and brother Timmy has passed away.
"We know this news will be as heartbreaking for you all as it is for us."
Skip Twitter post by @the_overtones It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that our dear friend and brother Timmy has passed away. We know this news will be as heartbreaking for you all as it is for us. We appreciate your love and support at this difficult time. Mike, Darren, Mark & Lachie x — The Overtones (@the_overtones) April 11, 2018 Report
In a statement, the singer's agent told the BBC: "Singer Timmy Matley died suddenly in London on the 9 April 2018.
"The Overtones singer, from Cork, Ireland, was 36 years old and lived in London. No further details are currently available.
"Family and friends are devastated at the news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
Matley announced in December that he was planning a charity skydive to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
He described the cause as "very close to my heart", and had raised over £5,000 for the skydive, which was due to take place in May.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The Overtones burst into song twice whilst appearing on BBC Breakfast.
Phillip Schofield and Scarlett Moffatt have been among those to pay tribute to the singer.
Skip Twitter post by @Schofe I’m so terribly sorry to hear this and sending lots of love to you all and particularly Timmy’s family and his many friends 😢 — Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) April 11, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @ScarlettMoffatt Such sad news 😪 sending all my love to you all, friends and family xx — Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) April 11, 2018 Report
Matley, along with bandmates Lachie Chapman, Mike Crawshaw, Mark Franks and Darren Everest, specialise in doo-wop performances and released five albums, four of which charted in the UK top 10.
Their album Good Ol' Fashioned Love peaked at number four in 2011.
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Timmy Matley (far left) and the other members of The Overtones
The band first auditioned as a four piece in 2009 for the X Factor, but failed to make it to the live finals.
They became painters and decorators, so they could practise while they were working and were discovered by a talent scout in 2010 during a tea break as they worked at an office near London's Oxford Street.
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