Lil' Chris dies at 24

Los Angeles: Singer Christopher James Hardman, popularly known as Lil' Chris, is no more. He was 24.

No details about the cause of the crooner's death have yet been revealed, but family and friends have posted tributes online, with his close friend Lloyd Wilkinson, who he once recorded a single with, paying his respects on social networking website Facebook, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

He wrote: "I cannot believe I'm doing this and I'm completely devastated. Rest in peace brother bear. Love you mate. Chris Hardman Aka Lil' Chris. (sic)"

The news of his death comes less than four months after he revealed he was planning a comeback to music, having not released an album since 2008's ‘What's It All About’.

The singer-songwriter shot to fame at the age of 15 after appearing on the Channel 4 series ‘Rock School’, and went on to sign an album deal with RCA, reaching number three in the British singles chart with his debut single ‘Checkin' it out’.