Melissa Bell, the former voice of Soul II Soul, died Monday at 53.
The news came from Bell’s daughter, singer Alexandra Burke, in a social media post on Tuesday.
“Our beautiful, funny and loving mum … gained her wings,” Burke wrote. “We will never forget her unconditional love, support, charisma, strength and courage throughout her life.
“We are eternally proud & thankful to call her our mummy.”
Burke said the family asks for privacy “at this difficult time.”
Bell was in Soul II Soul from 1993 to 1995 and sang on the singles “Wish” and “Be A Man.” She left the group to pursue a solo career.
Bell had diabetes and suffered from kidney ailments.
Burke won the the UK’s X Factor in 2008 and had a hit with her cover of “Hallelujah” by Canada’s Leonard Cohen. In 2014, she played the lead role in the London production of The Bodyguard.