Faye Fantarrow Dies: British Singer-Songwriter Mentored By Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart Was 21

Faye Fantarrow, the British singer-songwriter mentored and produced by Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, died at her home Saturday a year after being diagnosed with the aggressive and rare brain tumor known as glioma. She was 21.

Fantarrow’s death was announced by her mother Pam Fantarrow and on the singer’s official social media pages last night. The young woman had twice beaten childhood leukemia at ages 8 and 13.

“Faye was a joy to be around, full of fun, laughter and sharp as a razor — a true artist in every sense,” Stewart said in a statement. “Being with her and watching her at work is a diamond stuck in my head, moments I will never forget. I’m lucky to have met Faye and her Mum Pam, two humans together battling against all odds for Faye’s survival. It has been both traumatic and beautiful to witness their strength and dignity, and I am so sorry the world only got to witness Faye’s genius for such a short time. She is one of the true greats, a northern girl on fire with her lyrics and melodies. I loved her deeply.”

Both Fantarrow and Stewart were natives of Sunderland, England.

Fantarrow was diagnosed with glioma last August while she was in the midst of recording her debut EP, AWOL, with producer Stewart. The EP was released in February by Stewart’s Bay Street Records, and later the single “The Weekend” and a video for the song filmed in Sunderland (watch it below).

In a statement following the release of the well-reviewed EP, Fantarrow said, “Life very rarely goes to plan but the plan was always to write, sing and perform and I’ve been lucky to be able to do that. I am so proud of and the fantastic opportunity I was given. To work and record with Dave Stewart will be forever special to me.”

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— Faye Fantarrow (@FFantarrow) August 31, 2023