TV star Kerri-Anne Donaldson has tragically died aged 38.
Donaldson made it to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent as part of the dance troupe Kings and Queens.
During the group’s audition, judge Simon Cowell said: “We’ve had some great dance groups on this show over the years… I think it was incredible.”
Donaldson was also one of the professional dancers in Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars and most recently a choreographer on The Masked Singer.
The professional dancer’s tragic passing was confirmed in a statement by her sister, Cara.
Alongside a selection of pictures on Facebook, Donaldson’s sister wrote (per Sky News): “My heart hurts and my world has just collapsed around me. My beautiful baby sister is no longer with us and I don’t know how to process it.
“I love you, Kerri, you’re my best friend, we were inseparable and right now I don’t know how to fill the void. Be peaceful and hold Nan tight.”
Other Kings and Queens dance troupe members, including Neil and Katya Jones, became Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers.
Neil took to Instagram and shared: “Kerri Anne Donaldson – remember that name and please never forget it because it belongs to a woman who loved to dance, create and perform, she had the cheekiest laugh and a heart of gold.”
Katya posted snapshots of the pair together, alongside the words (per MailOnline): “Beautiful, beautiful Kerri. This is too surreal… We will miss you so much. You left an imprint in everyone’s hearts.”
Donaldson died in her hometown of Farnborough, Hampshire, in June of last year, reports the Daily Mail.
In a pre-inquest review, it was heard that days before she was found she had been held in police custody for an undisclosed reason.
The dancer was reported missing earlier but was eventually found. She was then admitted to a hospital in Lyne, Surrey, but was discharged days before her death.
Coroner Jason Pegg told a pre-inquest hearing that a post-mortem examination carried out after Donaldson’s death concluded that she had tragically died by ‘hanging.’ The last time the star was seen was at 11 a.m. on June 6.
A full inquest into Donaldson’s death has been scheduled for next year.
Donaldson’s devastating death comes after she shared a haunting social media post about ‘inner demons.’
Alluding to financial difficulties, she wrote: “The last two years have challenged me beyond belief, it’s definitely not all been sunshine and rainbows. My career was hit so badly that indeed, it affected my financial situation.
“My future prospects were put on hold for the foreseeable, and my motivation was becoming harder to maintain.
“I have admittedly had moments of self-doubt and anxiety, and I have had to take action to save myself from those dark places that are very hard to return from.”
She continued: “So the world wants perfection, and here I am, the furthest thing from it. I am now stuck in a hamster wheel, trying to move forward without admitting to anyone, including myself, that my life isn’t as shiny as it seems.”
