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Jamal Edwards died after 'sudden illness', mum Brenda Edwards confirms

Watch: Jamal Edwards has died after short illness

Loose Women star Brenda Edwards has confirmed that her music entrepreneur son Jamal Edwards died after a short illness.

The 31-year-old founder of new music platform SB.TV — which is credited with helping to launch the careers of Dave, Ed Sheeran and Jessie J among others — was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to music.

Brenda, 52, said in a statement: "It is with the deepest heartache that I can confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning (Sunday 20 February) after a sudden illness.

Brenda and Jamal Edwards on Loose Women (ITV)
Brenda Edwards with her son Jamal Edwards on 'Loose Women'. (ITV)

"Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.

Read more: Loose Women’s Brenda Edwards nervous about revealing mastectomy scars in Full Monty

"As we come to terms with his passing we ask for privacy to grieve this unimaginable loss.

Jamal Edwards holds his Member of the British Empire (MBE), after it was awarded to him by the Prince of Wales at an Investiture Ceremony, at Buckingham Palace in central London.
Jamal Edwards, awarded an MBE for services to music in 2014, has died aged 31. (PA)

"I would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support. Jamal was an inspiration to myself and so many.

"Our love for him lives on, his legacy live son. Long live Jamal Edwards, MBA, MBA, PHD."

Jamal decided to launch his own broadcasting platform SBTV when he was a teenager, in order to help emerging talent find a voice.

Watch: Family Confirm the sudden Death of Jamal Edwards

He said: "Everyone was looking at me like 'What are you doing, like you can compete with these major corporations', but I think I was early enough to believe that I could make a change.'"

Jamal added: "I try to focus on people that haven't got the platform. As well as getting a really well-known artist I want to get the up-and-coming ones as well."

With an estimated fortune of £8 million in 2014 he went on to launch youth centre project Jamal Edwards Delve in 2019 in a bid to give back to the community.

EMBARGOED TO 0730 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7 Jamal Edwards, part of the jury voting on the 2015 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly.
Jamal Edwards amassed a multi-million pound fortune and helped launch the careers of Ed Sheeran and Jessie J. (PA)

Speaking about his career success on Loose Women last year, he cited his mother Brenda as an inspiration.

Loose Women panellist Denise Welch tweeted: "My heart aches for my friend Brenda. I can’t bear it. Jamal Edwards was a wonderful son and brother."

Fellow Loose Woman Charlene White wrote: "Your light shone so brightly that it touched so many of us, impacted the lives of many more, and changed the game forever. And, you are my Brenda’s son. There are no words to describe her heartbreak, our heartbreak, now that your light has gone. Sometimes life is terribly unfair."

Katie Piper tweeted: "Shocked and sadden to hear of the passing of @jamaledwards thoughts and prayers with @brenda_edwards and family."

Read more: Brenda Edwards recalls struggle to afford electricity

Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid said: "Our hearts go out to you Brenda, and to all of Jamal's friends and family."