Lil Chris, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter who was found dead at his home in March, committed suicide by hanging, an inquest had heard. Lil Chris, real name Chris Hardman, struggled with mental health issues and depression. A private funeral was held earlier this month.

Lil ChrisLil Chris was found hanged at his home in Lowestoft

The inquest at St Margaret's House in Lowestoft was told the full hearing had been adjourned until July 28, though Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean confirmed the musician was found by his friend. The emergency services were called though Hardman was declared dead an hour later.

More: Channel 4's Kathy Newman quits Twitter after mosque incident

Guy Barnes, a producer who was working on new music with Hardman, said: "As much as we're all mourning the death of the boy, everybody needs to put as much love and strength as they possibly can do into the Hardman family because I don't know how anyone deals with that."

In a statement released after his death, Hardman's family said he was a "huge personality who will be missed by everyone who knew him."

"He was a hugely creative person who used this side of his personality to make others smile, to cheer people up and to make others feel better."

"A real people person, he would always take the time to stop and talk, no matter who or when and we are proud that he was so well thought of by all who knew him."

Lil Chris rose to fame after his appearances on the Channel 4 series Rock School, with Kiss frontman Gene Simmons in 2008.

Samaritans' deputy chief executive Fiona Malcolm said the charity had been "saddened" by the death, saying, "If anyone has been affected by this news, or is struggling to cope, we would like to let people know that Samaritans is here for them if they need to talk."

More: Morrissey declines offer for alternative Christmas speech on Channel 4