Ariel Burdett’s audition on The X Factor in 2008 was legendary (Picture: ITV)

Former X Factor star Ariel Burdett has reportedly died at the age of 38.

The sad news has been circulating among her close friends, who have been paying tribute to Ariel after it was announced that she passed away earlier this month.

In one group, a friend shared: ‘It is with great sadness that I post this, as I have only just found out myself.

‘A some time member of the moot, Amy Burdett aka Arabella Starchild passed to the Summerlands earlier this month.’


Who was Ariel Burdett and what was the cause of her death?

Ariel – real name Amy – was a holistic vocal coach and aspiring singer.

Although she didn’t make it past the audition stage of X Factor, her appearance on the show became legendary among viewers – and is still one of the most loved moments in the show’s history thanks to her forthright attitude.

Ariel changed her name to Arabella Starchild after appearing on the show (Picture: Instagram)

In the 11 years since appearing on the show she renamed herself Arabella Starchild.



As of 2016 she was still singing, uploading original songs to her YouTube channel.

The cause of her death has not been confirmed, although it’s been reported she passed away at her home in Leeds on 12 November.

An inquest will be held later this month.

When was Ariel on X Factor?

Ariel appeared on the show in 2008, auditioning for judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh – with her audition quickly becoming legendary among viewers.

She made her mark from the off, initially going into the audition room and ripping off her label, saying she was ‘a human being, not a number’, before telling the panel: ‘I’m not a specialist, I’m a generalist’.

Ariel then performed a quirky original number which showcased several different vocal styles and which left the judges stunned, with Simon Cowell telling her ‘That was a complete and utter nightmare.’

‘The idea behind it was that you get to understand that every line was a different style,’ Ariel explained, but Simon told her: ‘I don’t care.’

Meanwhile Cheryl told her she found her ‘scary’ and added: ‘The way you walked over to me I thought we were going to have a scrap.’

However Ariel hit back, telling them the song she had performed ‘was something to be understood from an academic,’ adding: ‘You’re obviously not an academic.’

Before leaving she added: ‘Well, I shall say goodbye to you…but not before I have advised you to shove a bit of metal right up your a**e.’

She then called the singer ‘stupid’ as she was escorted from the room by security.

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