Freddie Combs - a former contestant on the US version of The X Factor - has sadly died at the age of 49.
The news was confirmed to TMZ by Combs' wife, Kay, who revealed that Freddie passed away at a Florida hospital on September 10 from kidney failure. Kay added that his death was not Covid-related.
Combs had wowed the judges and audiences during his appearance on the second season of the reality show, The X Factor. For his first audition, he received a "yes" from judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and L.A. Reid following his rendition of Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings'.
Following his audition, he received a standing ovation, with Britney Spears telling him: "You do have an amazing voice, I’m going to say yes."
Lovato added: "You know what, you really touched me when you sang."
TMZ reports that at the time of his audition in 2011, Combs weighed 540lbs. But the former minister revealed that back in 2009, he weighed over 900lbs. In 2010, he and Kay appeared on the TLC reality show, Ton of Love.
Since then, Kay said that he'd been working hard on his weight loss - getting all the way down to 385lbs.
Per Deadline, Cowell and L.A. Reid told Freddie on the show that they would support him on his health journey. A determined Freddie - who used a wheelchair at the time - told them that he would get healthier.
His wife revealed that Cowell stood by his word.
Kay tragically revealed that she knew her husband would pass away the day before he did, telling TMZ: "I have so much gratitude to be his wife for 25 years and to be his best friend."
Per The Sun, the couple had been married since June 1996.
Combs' obituary reads: "Freddie spent most of his life in ministry preaching the gospel and singing praises to his Lord Jesus Christ. He has touched countless lives and their ministry will continue to do so."
Our thoughts are with Freddie's family, friends, and fans at this time.