Christopher James Hardman (26 August 1990 – 23 March 2015), better known by the stage name Lil' Chris, was an English singer-songwriter, actor and television personality.

He came to prominence in 2006, after appearing on the Channel 4 series Rock School, which saw KISS lead singer Gene Simmons make a rock band at Lil' Chris' school. Later that year, he released the single "Checkin' It Out", which charted at number 3, and a self-titled album.

Hardman was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, the son of Ian Hardman, a slaughterhouse worker, and Karen Elizabeth Clarke, a supermarket worker.

Career

Rock School

Hardman rose to prominence in January 2006 at the age of 15 after appearing in series two of Channel 4's Rock School. The show saw Gene Simmons (from the band KISS) try to form a rock band out of a class of children attending Kirkley High School (now East Point Academy). In the series, Hardman was immediately seen as a contender for the band after revealing that he could sing, play guitar, drum and write songs. Eventually Hardman was selected as frontman and lead singer in the line-up for the group (now named "Hoax UK" after the slogan on Chris' cap). In the final episode the group went on to open for Judas Priest, Rob Zombie and Anthrax at a concert in Long Beach, California.

Solo career

A week after the performance, Hardman was contacted by record producers Ray Hedges and Nigel Butler, who appeared in Rock School to help the class with songwriting. Hardman went on to sign a record contract with RCA Records and released his debut single "Checkin' It Out" in September 2006 which reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart. After performing a cover of Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, Hardman then released his debut album Lil' Chris in January 2006. He continued to promote and release singles from his album throughout 2007, as well as performing as a supporting act for McFly on their 24 date Up Close and Personal tour throughout the UK. Hardman also took part in BBC Three's Celebrity Scissorhands and made guest appearances in episodes of CBBC's SMart and TMi.

More television work followed in 2008, including appearances on The Weakest Link, Hider in the House, Dani's House and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Hardman also compered the 4Music stage of the T4 on the Beach music festival in July 2008. In October and November 2008 (after a successful pilot earlier in the year) he hosted Everybody Loves Lil' Chris on the T4 strand of Channel 4 on Saturday mornings. The show was a mixture of celebrity interviews, live music performances and various 'challenges' that he undertook. The airing of the show coincided with the release of Hardman's second album What's It All About in October 2008. He also supported Alphabeat on their Wolfbaggin' tour, throughout the UK.

Throughout 2009, Hardman made celebrity appearances as a DJ, visiting various venues around the UK. These included Zanzibar Club in Leicester in May 2009, and Tramps Nightclub in Worcester in August 2009. In October 2009 Hardman made a guest appearance on the BBC1 game show Hole in the Wall, and also featured in an episode of the second series of the CBBC comedy show Sorry, I've Got No Head. During December 2009 to January 2010, he presented the making of Remo Skilla's music video, Stoosh, which was posted on YouTube.

From 18 June to 14 July 2012, Lil' Chris starred in Loserville: The Musical at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds in the role of Francis Weir. The musical transferred to the West End from October 2012 to January 2013. In October 2013, he announced via Twitter that he was working on a new album, his first since 2008. Chris issued a new single for Christmas 2013 called "Christmas Number One (#FeedEmYellowSnow)" with Lloyd Wilkinson, and set off on a Christmas tour with Tom Mann and Giles Potter, from 2013's The X Factor. The tour was called The Lil' Chris-tmas tour. On 3 December 2013, The Official Chart Company listed "Christmas Number One (#FeedEmYellowSnow)" as a contender for the Christmas Number One spot on 22 December 2013, but the single failed to chart.

Death

Hardman died on 23 March 2015, at the age of 24. He had been suffering with depression for some time. The BBC reported that Suffolk Constabulary had been called to an address in Lowestoft the previous morning after reports that a man had died suddenly. Tributes were given from people such as boxer Anthony Ogogo, who had attended the same school, and Gene Simmons.

Discography

Albums

• Lil' Chris (4 December 2006) No. 54 UK
• What's It All About (6 October 2008) No. 94 UK

Singles

• "Checkin' It Out" (September 2006) No. 3 UK
• "Gettin' Enough??" (December 2006) No. 17 UK
• "Figure It Out" (February 2007) No. 57 UK
• "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" (October 2007) No. 63 UK

TV appearances

• "Rock School"
• "The Sharon Osbourne Show"
• "TMi: Festive Special 2"
• "Hider in the House"
• "Everybody Loves Lil Chris"
• "T4 on the Beach 2008"
• "Dani's House"
• "Never Mind the Buzzcocks"
• "Hole in the Wall"
• "My Super Sweet Sixteen" (UK)
• "Weakest Link Celebrity Special"
• "Celebrity Scissor Hands"
• "The Wall"
• "Sorry I've Got No Head"
• "Newsround"
• "Sportsround"
• "The Late Late ToyShow"