An inquest has heard that singer Lil’ Chris, who was discovered dead in March 2015, took his own life after having for a long time struggled with the “difficulties and problems” caused by fame.

Real name Chris Hardman, he found fame having won the Channel 4 reality show ‘Rock School’, hosted by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, at the age of 15 in 2006. His career started well, scoring a Top 3 hit with his first single ‘Checkin’ It Out’, but subsequent efforts failed to match that initial success. Though he later hosted his own TV show, 'Everybody Loves Lil' Chris' on T4, he never hit the same heights of fame as he had before.

An inquest in Bury St. Edmunds on Monday (February 8th) heard testimony from Hardman's family. "He had never mentioned wanting to be a singer, he just said he wanted to be famous," his mother said recalling her son's delight at being selected for 'Rock School'.

Lil ChrisLil' Chris had suffered from depression for a long time, struggling with the pressures of fame, an inquest heard

When the limelight faded, he told friends and his mental health worker that the pressures of fame had exacerbated feelings of paranoia and anxiety he had carried around with him. His family added that he had he struggled with depression for a long time but “ultimately didn’t win his battle”.

Around 11 months ago, he was discovered dead having hanged himself at a house in Lowestoft, Suffolk that he shared with a friend. Returning a verdict of suicide, Suffolk coroner Dr. Peter Dean said it was clear that Hardman’s death was an “intentional act”.

“Clearly he was a very talented young man who found fame at an early age,” he said. “Sadly that fame also brought with it difficulties and problems but he had shown a desire to relaunch that career once more.”

Speaking after the inquest, Hardman’s sister Hannah said that he was “the funniest, most lovely practical joker you could ever meet. But at the same time it was very difficult for him and he spoke very openly about his depression. The one thing we would like to take away from this tragedy is to get people speaking more openly about mental illness. I know that is what he wanted.”

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