X Factor icon Cher Lloyd has ‘never felt pain like this’ after dad’s death

Former X Factor star Cher Lloyd announced the death of her dad, Darren, in an emotional tribute on Instagram.

The singer, 32, revealed her dad had died on Saturday, April 11, but gave no further details about his cause of death.

She penned: ‘Life will never be the same again. I’ve never felt pain like this. My Dad, I love you. Goodnight 10.03.73 – 11.04.26.’

Cher also posted a screenshot of a text exchange between her and her dad, showing how close the pair were.

‘I love you dad. More than you’ll ever know,’ she wrote, with Darren responding:  ‘I know you do. And I love you more and more each day. See you tomorrow.’ 

While Cher has not revealed much about her dad’s health, she did confirm he was ‘seriously unwell’ in hospital in 2020.

On Cher’s post, Katherine Ryan commented: ‘May your grief be gentle, Queen x.’

American record producer Savan Kotecha added: ‘So so so sorry for your loss Cher! 🙏🏽💔 I remember how much he loved you and you loved him. Sending love to your family!’

Cher and her dad were incredibly close, with the singer even having ‘daddy’ inked on her hand with a heart next to it.

During the Covid pandemic, she said she feared for him as he had been hospitalised twice linked to pre-existing conditions.

At the time, she shared: ‘I’m sorry I’ve been quiet on here – I find it difficult to share my personal life at the best of times but I feel I need to let you know what’s going on. My dad has been seriously unwell and is in hospital.’

‘This has been really difficult on us and my heads all over the place. I wish I could see him and I wish I could be with my family to support them, especially mum.

‘We can’t be with dad but I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses for looking after him. This is such a scary time for everyone. I hope you are keeping safe.’

Cher rose to fame on the X Factor at just 16 years old, placing fourth in the 2010 competition and siging with Simon Cowell’s label Syco.

She went on to release tracks Swagger Jagger, Want U Back and more recently Head Down, marking her music comeback.

Her third studio album was severly delayed, with rumours she had been dropped by her label and a decade long gap between this and previous album Sorry I’m Late.

In 2013, just two years after her X Factor stint, she married partner Craig Monk, with the pair now sharing two children.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.