Lil' Chris of Channel 4 series Rock Shool has died, reportedly passing away on Monday just months before his plans to make a big pop comeback.
The BBC were told by Suffolk Police that the death isn't to be treated as suspicious, with a spokeswoman saying officers arrived at around 11.45am to an address in Lowestoft to reports a man had died suddenly.
A post-mortem examination is due to take place soon to determine the cause of death.
Elliot Davis, Hardman's Loserville director said to WhatsOnStage: "He was a super talented guy, so naturally gifted.
"He just had something that the nation saw and it catapulted him to early fame, which perhaps caused problems."
Previously, Lil' Chris had been vocal about suffering with depression and mentioned the illness in two separate posts to his Twitter account last year.
Hardman shot to fame first on reality TV show Rock School, where prep-school students were trained by Gene Simmons in becoming rock stars.
2006 saw him release his debut album after signing a major deal with RCA, and he went on to host his own Channel 4 talk show Everybody Loves Lil' Chris.
In the summer of 2012, he played Francis Weir in Loserville, premiering at West Yorkshire Playhouse before being transferred to the West End's Garrick Theatre.
A number of photographs have been posted on Facebook by Chris' mother Karen Hardman, according to the Daily Mirror, confirming the news.
Close friend Lloyd Wilkinson paid his own respects on Facebook, writing: "I can not believe I'm doing this and I'm completely devastated. Rest in peace brother bear. Love you mate. Chris Hardman Aka Lil' Chris."
Celebrities also took to social media to send out their tributes, including Caroline Flack, Luke Friend, Harry Judd and Dynamo.