Jamal Edwards MBE, music entrepreneur, has died aged 31.

In a statement on Monday, his mother, Loose Women panelist Brenda Edwards said: ‘It is with the deepest heartache that I can confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness. Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.’

The businessman has had a longlasting impact on the music industry after the the online music channel SBTV that he founded at the age of 15 helped to launch the career of huge names such as Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Stormzy, and Dave.

He was, and will remain a pioneering figure in British rap and grime music. Jamal was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list 2014 for his work in music and his business, SBTV.

His death comes just days after he attended the 2022 Brit Awards.

We wish his family peace and strength at this time.