Will Young's twin brother Rupert has passed away following a battle with mental health issues.
Rupert, 41, has previously opened up about his problems with depression and alcoholism.
He was also diagnosed with dysthymia – a depressive mood disorder – in 2005.
A spokeswoman for Will said : "I can confirm that Will’s brother has very sadly passed away.
"We would like to request privacy for Will and his family during this very difficult and sad time."
Rupert previously admitted he struggled with living his famous brother's shadow.
Speaking in a 2008 interview with The Telegraph, Rupert said: "I woke up one morning and turned on the TV. There was William on Richard & Judy, giving the most amazing performance of one of his songs.
"I had spent the night before drinking with tramps in a car park and cutting myself.
"It seemed bizarre to me that two people who are genetically the same could behave in such different ways.
"I realised that something had gone very wrong. But I didn't know what, or why, and nor did anyone else."
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Troubled Rupert said he was then in and out of hospital 'more than ten times' - reports Mirror Online.
He said: "I saw the top doctors and psychiatrists in the country, but the mental health system here is overloaded…I was never actually properly assessed.
"They just told me I was an addict and that was why I was the way I was."
Will, who shot to fame on Pop Idol in 2002, previously said he went into “survival mode” to support his twin brother over his mental health battles. However, as Rupert’s life settled, Will said he was then confronted with the dark reality of fame himself.
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During an interview in 2006 Will said: “I had always been the one sorting my brother out, and it was easier to do that than actually look at myself.
“I had thought I was coping well... but I became scared about going out and meeting people. I was going into loony, reclusive-pop-star mode.”
Will had opened up on the subject of mental health shortly after shocking fans with his decision to quit Strictly Come Dancing after three weeks.
The singer and theatre star had been an early favourite to win the series with partner Karen Clifton.
He later said he believed quitting the show was the 'best thing he'd done' as his anxiety could be 'tough' to manage.
