A former Britain’s Got Talent star who taught Strictly judge Anton Du Beke how to tap dance has died aged 34.

Chantel Bellew – who reached the quarter finals of Series 13 – passed away in hospital from a suspected overdose just weeks after her birthday following a long struggle with depression.

Friends described her as the ‘life and soul of the party’ and spoke of her delight at getting to the latter rounds of Britain’s Got Talent in 2019.

Chantel was a talented dancer who appeared in numerous musicals including the Paris production of 42nd Street.

On her website Chantel described herself as an ‘enthusiastic, professional and positive person with lots of experience in dance and musical theatre’.

She had also appeared in the UK tour of The Greatest Showman and was also a regular entertainer on cruise ships.

But her dream moment was getting into BGT where she performed a military themed dance routine for hosts Ant and Dec.

At the end of the number, her costume was ripped off by two male dancers to reveal a Union Jack bodice which the Geordie duo found hilarious.

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Chantel Bellew – who reached the quarter finals of the 13th series of Britain’s Got Talent – has passed away in hospital

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She is pictured here with Strictly star Anton Du Beke, who she taught to tap dance

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Chantel was a talented dancer who appeared in numerous musicals including the Paris production of 42nd Street

Her performance impressed the judges, but sadly she just failed to get into the semi-finals and friends said she had ‘a brilliant time’ while on the popular ITV talent show.

She posted the clip on her Facebook as well as one of her with Anton in which she wrote: ‘Great day teaching Anton some tap.’

Chantel lived in Widnes, Cheshire, where she taught dance and singing in recent years but as her mental health deteriorated she gave it up to take up a job in a supermarket.

Chantel’s friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for her funeral costs so they can give her ‘the show biz send-off she deserves’. Any remaining funds will be donated to mental health charity Mind.

Long time friend and fellow performer Katy Glover paid tribute to her and said: ‘She was such a whirlwind, the life and soul of the party and such a bundle of life.

‘She lived and breathed glamour and showbiz and she was a fantastic tap dancer, she did a number of Britain’s Got Talent which she loved, and she kept telling everyone.

‘Chantel said she’d had a brilliant time and treated it as another audition because she was so professional, and she was so determined.

‘She also taught Anton Du Beke tap as well because tap was her life, she was the best tapper out there. She was incredible, one of a kind, sparkly and loving and loyal.

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Britain’s Got Talent presenters Ant and Dec were among those impressed by her display

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Her performance impressed the judges, but sadly she just failed to get into the semi-finals – while friends said she had ‘a brilliant time’ while on the popular ITV talent show

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Friends described her as the ‘life and soul of the party’ and spoke of her delight at getting to the latter rounds of Britain’s Got Talent in 2019

Katy, who met Chantel while they both worked on Celebrity Cruises, added: ‘She sang and danced but tap was her niche, and she loved all the glitz and glam.

’42nd Street was her favourite musical, and she was delighted to be part of it, and it was one of the highlights of her career. She just lived to perform.’

Katy added: ‘I can relate to her feeling down, on the cruise ships you are performing every single night, for six months, doing what you love.

‘But then you come home and it’s tough to find your next job. It’s a very difficult career. You have very high highs and low lows and, as you get old, start to think what’s next?

‘You can’t perform your whole life and when it’s been your whole life it’s a very difficult position to be in.’

Another pal Daniel McErlean said:’ She was such a great friend, and we all loved her to bits.

‘She always wanted to be a performer, and she had such a sparkle about her. She was teaching dance and theatre all over the northwest.

‘She even did a show at Christmas for her family but when her nan died a few years ago it really hit her hard and that’s when things started to change.’

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Chantel (pictured) lived in Widnes in Cheshire where she taught dance and singing

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Her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent came in its 13th series, in 2019

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Chantel’s friends have now set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for her funeral costs so they can give her ‘the show biz send-off she deserves’

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Any remaining funds from the appeal set up in memory of Chantel (pictured) will be donated to mental health charity Mind.

‘She was a kind, loving, and passionate spirit who brought joy and laughter to so many. Chantel was a talent second to none who was the life and soul of every party.

‘Chantel was always glammed up, dressed in heels and skirt and would brighten up anyone’s day.’

Stephen Mear, who was the director of 42nd Street, said: ‘This has really shocked me. Such a wonderful funny person with a big heart.

‘Also, one of the best tappers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.’