Ed Sheeran has credited Jamal Edwards with helping to forge his professional career, saying in a tribute he "would not be here without him".
Music entrepreneur Edwards gained fame after setting up the music platform SBTV in 2006, and was credited with helping to launch a string of UK music acts to stardom, including Dave, Jessie J and Sheeran.
His manager confirmed that Edwards died on Sunday morning, aged 31.
Sharing a photo on Instagram of the younger-looking pair, the Thinking Out Loud singer, 31, captioned it: "I haven’t posted anything coz I can’t find the words, I can’t reply coz I don’t know what to say.
"Jamal is my brother. His light shone so bright.
"He only used it to illuminate others and never asked for anything in return.
"A stars light shines for millions of years after they go, and his will continue to light up every dark moment, we are all witnessing his power.
"I would not be here without him, professionally and personally.
"There will never be anything close to what he is, but I’m so grateful to have existed within his orbit. My brother, come on."
On Wednesday, singer and TV presenter Brenda Edwards shared a family photo of her and her son following his death.
The Loose Women star, 52, posted on her Instagram and Twitter accounts for the first time since her son’s death to share two photos of her with him and her daughter Tanisha at a photoshoot, where they can be seen smiling and laughing with one another.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/IHgp5XqKt2
— Brenda Edwards (@brenda_edwards) February 23, 2022
Friends and famous faces offered their support to the TV presenter in the comments, including her fellow Loose Women panellists Judi Love and Denise Welch, who both shared strings of heart emojis.
In a previous statement, Edwards said: "It is with the deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness.
"Myself, his sister Tanisha, and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.
"As we come to terms with his passing, we ask for privacy to grieve this unimaginable loss. I would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support.
"Jamal was an inspiration to myself and so many. Our love for him lives on, his legacy lives on. Long live Jamal Edwards MBE, MBA, PhD."
Source: Press Association
