X Factor legend says ‘I don’t have any family left’ in heartbreaking plea
Emma Chawner, who is best known for her memorable performances on The X Factor in 2007 and 2009, has appealed for help after losing both her parents this year. The singer originally achieved fame with a solo performance of Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On on the talent show 17 years ago. She received rejections from Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue, which led to her parents Audrey and Philip angrily confronting the four judges.
She returned to the show two years later with her sister Sam, but again was rejected by the judges. Emma has now started a GoFundMe page, following the death of her 73 year old mother in January, the family dog dying a day later, and the death of her father earlier this week. On the page she wrote: “My dad was, lovely, caring respectful man. I miss [him] so much, so I would appreciate any help towards the funeral. At this time, it’s really hard for me and to pay for it, and I really want my dad to have a good send off – any amount of money would be greatly appreciated, thank you all so much.”
She added: “I don’t have any family left. People that know me [know] I hate asking for help, but this time I have no choice.”
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She also told the Manchester Evening News that she had been her father’s carer for the last four years and his health had deteriorated following the death of her mother. "It's been really hard," she said. "I lived with him, I cared for him, and I've had to see it up close." Philip had been recently moved to a care home, and was taken to hospital on Friday 13 December and died there on Sunday. "It's hit me really hard," Emma said. "I was probably closer to my dad than my mum. Being his carer I spent so much time with him. I just can't believe I've lost both of them so close together. Literally 11 months to the day. It's just been the year from hell."
Emma became well known for her reality show appearances following her debut on The X Factor. She went on Lorraine Kelly ’s show Big Fat Challenge, eventually losing 16 stone. She also appeared alongside her family on shows including Nightmare Neighbours, following more than 500 complaints from residents in their home town of Ramsbottom in Lancashire, and The Jeremy Kyle Show, where the family confronted mum Audrey after she walked out on them without a word in 2015.
