Adam Deacon, Denise Welch and AJ Tracey have led tributes for music pioneer Jamal Edwards following news of his death.
The founder of SBTV, and son of Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, died at the age of 31 on Sunday morning.
His company confirmed the news to BBC, but his cause of death has not yet been shared.
Close friends and fans flooded social media with messages of condolences, with AJ Tracey among the first to share his heartache.
‘RIP Jamal Edwards, west London legend status,’ he penned.
Denise, who appeared on Loose Women with Brenda, wrote: ‘My heart aches for my friend Brenda. I can’t bear it. Jamal Edwards was a wonderful son and brother.’
Dave tweeted: ‘Thank you for everything words can’t explain.’
Adam Deacon shared: ‘Today I was on set when I found out the tragic news that my good friend Jamal Edwards had passed away and I’m honestly heartbroken.
‘Jamal was one of the nicest, most down to earth and humble men I’ve met in this industry. He always gave me time even when no one else would.
‘He was an inspiration and what he achieved in life was truly remarkable.
‘Thinking of his friends and family at this devastating time. RIP Jamal Edwards.’
Munya Chawawa shared: ‘Rest in Peace, Jamal Edwards. To think how many dreams were fulfilled and how much potential was discovered because of your platform and work.
‘What an incredible legacy; thank you.’
‘Man!!! What wasn’t Jamal Edwards capable of doing? Incredibly talented! Fly high Young King. RIEP,’ Alex Beresford commented.
‘I cannot believe Jamal Edwards is dead,’ Steph McGovern posted. ‘He was an absolute legend. I worked with him quite a bit over the years, including on a programme we did together to help kids in business.
‘He was so inspiring and very funny too. What a loss. His poor family and friends. #ripJamal.’
Lady Leshurr posted: ‘I’m in tears. So heartbreaking to hear the news of Jamal Edwards.
‘Prayers to his family and loved ones nothing makes sense anymore @SBTVonline.’
Victoria’s Secret model Leomie Anderson wrote: ‘The news about Jamal cuts deep. Rest in peace to the legend, your mark on this world will not be forgotten.’
‘RIP Jamal Edwards. Giving God thanks that you did what he sent you to do,’ George the Poet tweeted.
‘So many of us owe our careers to you bro. Thank you for everything.’
As athlete and Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Peaty added: ‘Can’t believe I’m seeing that Jamal Edwards has passed away, only met him a couple of times but his energy was contagious and such an incredible guy.
‘I remember in 2010 watching SBTV warm up sessions and f64’s religiously. RIP Jamal.’
Edwards founded the online music channel SBTV at the age of 15, and helped to launch the career of many, including Ed Sheeran.
As well as this, he filmed artists including Stormzy, Rita Ora and Krept & Konan, and was considered a pioneering figure in British rap and grime music.
He was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list 2014 for his work in music and his business, SBTV.
Speaking to PA after receiving his MBE, he said he started SBTV to give his friends a platform.
‘It was a frustration of going to school and everyone talking about ‘how do we get our videos on MTV.
‘YouTube was like a year old. I was like ‘I’ve got a camera for Christmas, I’m going to start filming people and uploading it’.
‘Everyone was looking at me like, “what are you doing, like you can compete with these major corporations”, but I think I was early enough to believe that I could make a change.’
Edwards also became an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity run by the Prince of Wales which helps young people set up their own companies.
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