'I don't have any family left': X Factor star's heartbreaking plea after losing dad, mum and dog

A former X Factor star has issued a heartbreaking plea after losing her father - in the same year she lost her mum and her dog.

Emma Chawner, whose family from Ramsbottom famously clashed with X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh, is one of the show's most unforgettable contestants. Having first auditioned for the contest in 2007, she returned two years later to duet with her sister.

But despite failing to impress the judges again, her family went on to appear on a series of reality TV shows, including Nightmare Neighbours in 2016. Emma and her family also appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show and featured in a six-part ITV series in 2009 called Lorraine Kelly's Big Fat Challenge, where the presenter tried to help them lose weight.

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Four years ago, Emma spoke to Lorraine again about her incredible weight loss story. Having shed 16 stone, she told the ITV presenter back in 2020 that she decided to lose weight after a stressful period in her life which saw her parents split up.

However, 2024 has proven to be a difficult year too. Emma's father Philip died in hospital following a heart attack on December 15.

Launching an online fundraiser for the funeral, the former X Factor star revealed that she also lost her mum back in January that year - and her dog the next day. Writing on GoFundMe, she said: "My dad was lovely caring respectful man and i miss so much so I would appreciate any help towards he funeral because at time it's really hard for me and to pay for it and I really want my dad to have a good send off any amount of money would be greatly appreciated thank you all so