The X Factor star George Shelley's grandad dead
The X Factor's George Shelley has announced that his grandad has died.
George Shelley's grandad has died.
The ex-Union J band member returned to Instagram on Friday (24.07.26) after more than a month's break, and paid a heartfelt tribute to his father figure, whom he credits for giving him the confidence to sing and perform on stage, as well as DIY skills.
George, 33, captioned a photo carousel, including shots of his grandad, with the caption: "It’s been over a month since I last wrote in here. It’s been a challenging time.
"Rest in peace, Grandad. You were and always will be a father to me. You taught me how to ride a bike, bought me my first guitar, taught me all I know about DIY and showed me how to get up on stage and be brave enough to sing my heart out.
"I’ll never forget how hard you’d work restoring houses and renovating things in your garage. In your free time you showed me the simple beauty of blackberry picking walks and riding life with humour and melody.
"Also, how you kept music in your soul till the very end, which I know you will now take to a better place. I will miss you, dearly. Thank you for everything.
"No matter what may come my way, I will always remember that anything is possible, if you learn to do it yourself! (sic)"
George asked his grandad to give a "massive cuddle" to his sister, Harriet, who died after being struck by a VW Beetle as she tried to cross a road following 33-year-old rapper Stormzy's gig in Bristol in May 2017.
He added: "I’ll see you both again one day. All my love, forever."
The star - who joined Union J during the judges' houses stage of The X Factor in 2012 - then said the reason for his absence from social media was because the "pressures and demands became too much and I saw no way forward for a while".
George - who, with the band, finished fourth on the ITV singing competition - added: "Safe to say a week in the countryside was exactly what I needed."
The I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! 2015 star told how he had been decorating his partner Rory Naylor's parents' downstairs hall and toilet, and George credited his grandad for giving him that skill.
The entertainer - who began the photo carousel with a shot of himself painting a wall green - said: "I used all the skills that Grandad (and Mum’s to be fair) taught me, and couldn’t help but notice the choice of colour of the new walls, 'Capability Green'.
"A tone that soothed my soul with each roll and stroke of the brush. I thought about all I’ve been through in my life, and that how no matter what, I have always found a way through, and that I am, in fact, capable.
"Green represents new beginnings, a sentiment that echoed through my mind during my time in the rolling Shropshire Hills. I kept noticing how at peace I was being out of the city, with Ruby the old fox red Labrador and Chewy the big fluffy ginger cat keeping me company.
"I spoke to them a lot, and they spoke back to me, in silence of course, but the conversation was everything. Theres a certain language to silence. One that takes you inwards, where listening to yourself becomes less of a chore and more of a bliss. (sic)"
George concluded: "It’s my birthday on Monday, 33! Time to celebrate life."
