Timmy Matley from The Overtone has died aged 36. | Photo: Twitter
Timmy Matley, one of the five members of doo-wop singing group, The Overtones, had died at the age of 36. He was one of the the three members of the group that identified as gay.
Matley had been battling skin cancer but the cause of his death is still unclear.
The remaining Overtones, Mike Crawshaw, Mark Franks, Darren Everest and Lachie Champman, announced his death on Twitter.
‘It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that our dear friend and brother Timmy has passed away,’ the group wrote.
‘We know this news will be as heartbreaking for you all as it is for us. We appreciate your love and support at this difficult time. Mike, Darren, Mark and Lachie.’
It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce that our dear friend and brother Timmy has passed away. We know this news will be as heartbreaking for you all as it is for us. We appreciate your love and support at this difficult time. Mike, Darren, Mark & Lachie x
— The Overtones (@the_overtones) April 11, 2018
In 2016, Matley was diagnosed with stage three malignant melanoma, which is a serious form of skin cancer.
After he had surgery, his situation became more grave when it the cancer worsened to stage four.
But the Irish-born singer remained determined to return to the stage and eventually began touring with The Overtones again in July 2017.
His experience made him want to help with cancer research and he decided to jump out of a plane to raise money for the The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Matley was due to complete the skydive on 3 May and had already raised more than £5,500.
On his fundraising page Matley described the physical and emotional toll cancer had taken on him. But he was also optimistic he would be cancer-free by the end of the year.
‘My latest scans look really positive, with most of the cancer in regression, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that when I have my next full scan at Christmas, I will be diagnosed NED (no evidence of disease),’ he wrote.
The Overtones
The Overtones are a platinum selling doo-wop group who have been together since at least 2009.
They claim to have been discovered while working as decorators at a shop on Oxford St, London by a Warner Bros talent scout as they practiced on their lunch break.
Their first album Good Ol’ Fashion Love hit number four on the UK charts.
They were due to tour again in July.
