Lil' Chris death: Rock School star was found hanged at home by friend

Rock School star Lil' Chris died by hanging, an inquest has confirmed. Revealing the cause of death at St Margaret's House in Lowestoft, Suffolk, coroner Peter Dean said that a friend found the body at the 24-year-old singer's home on Union Road, Lowestoft on 23 March.

According to The Telegraph, paramedics were called to the property but, after being unable to revive him, pronounced the star dead at 11.48am.

The coroner said: "He had been found hanging at his home by a friend. Emergency services were called, but attempts at resuscitation failed."

The body of Lil' Chris, real name Chris Hardman, was later identified by his family friend AJ Sutton.

After the inquest was heard, Dean said: "I would like to offer my thoughts and condolences to the family, friends and all those close to him for their loss."

The full hearing has been adjourned until a later date.

Shortly after Lil' Chris's death, his family released a statement confirming the singer had battled depression for several years, explaining: "Chris had struggled with mental health issues and depression in recent years.

"He was committed to helping others find better ways of overcoming this illness and publicly said he wished to find a cure. Despite this, his concern was always his family and his friends, whose happiness was his priority."

His loved ones went on to share warm memories and described him as a "real people person".

They said: "[He was] a huge personality who will be missed by everyone who knew him. If he wasn't bringing joy through music he was telling jokes or pulling pranks. He was the sunshine on a rainy day, and could make friends the minute he walked into a room, making everyone smile with his gorgeous, cheeky face.

"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."

The Checkin' It Out singer rose to prominence in 2006 after starring in Channel 4's Rock School, which saw Kiss frontman Gene Simmons form a new band with students from a high school. A private funeral for Lil' Chris was held earlier in April.