‘I salute you’: 5ive singer Ritchie Neville announces sad death of his step-father following a three-year battle with cancer in emotional post
Ritchie Neville, of boyband 5ive, has announced the death of his step-father.
The singer, 40, took to Twitter on Monday to reveal the sad news, uploading a black and white snap of his daughter Ella Rose, now five, being pushed on a swing by her step-granddad.
The image was captured when Ella was a baby, with Ritchie’s late relative happily pushing her as she laughed.
Tragic loss: Ritchie Neville, of boyband 5ive, has announced the death of his step-father
The crooner captioned the snap poignantly: ‘In the early hours of Saturday morning my step dad past away after a miracle three years with cancer having been given 6 months to live.
‘The disease tried to take his dignity, it failed. A loving grandfather and a man so stubborn in the face of adversity. The bars been set high.
‘Never once wanted a seconds sympathy, just quality time with the people he loved most. I never realised how strong a man he was until now.
‘The family says goodbye to a true warrior of old school proportions. We are all so proud and inspired by you and you’ve left a massive hole.
‘I salute you’: The singer, 40, took to Twitter on Monday to reveal the sad news, uploading a black and white snap of his daughter Ella Rose, now five, being pushed on a swing by her step-granddad
The crooner captioned the snap poignantly: ‘Your memory will live on through all of us. Rest in peace mate’
‘But your memory will live on through all of us. Rest in peace mate. I salute you.’
Ritchie’s stepdad was married to his mother, Kim Round.
Ritchie shot to fame in the 1990s with boyband 5ive, alongside bandmates Jason ‘J’ Brown, Abz Love, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon.
Only the latter two, along with Ritchie, remain in the band.
![22 years later: Ritchie shot to fame in the 1990s with boyband 5ive, alongside bandmates Jason 'J' Brown, Abz Love, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon [pictured in 1998]](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/15/10/24834692-8421665-Ritchie_shot_to_fame_in_the_1990s_with_boyband_5ive_alongside_ba-m-48_1592213844490.jpg?resize=634%2C616&ssl=1)
22 years later: Ritchie shot to fame in the 1990s with boyband 5ive, alongside bandmates Jason ‘J’ Brown, Abz Love, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon [pictured in 1998]
The group still tour, alongside the likes of fellow 90s groups A1, 911 and Damage.
In February, they appeared on This Morning, where they admitted that performing together is ‘better this time around’ while insisting that there’s no longer any rivalry with their fellow boy bands.
Ritchie said: ‘We’re back on the stage, we’re out seeing the people again and it’s better this time around.
Scott added: ‘It’s a bit different, it’s like a creche. We have our kids running around, the wives get together and have a few drinks a few laughs.’
![When 5 become 3: Only Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon, along with Ritchie, remain in the band [pictured in February 2020]](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/02/17/11/24836054-8012283-image-a-19_1581940427278.jpg?resize=634%2C357&ssl=1)
When 5 become 3: Only Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon, along with Ritchie, remain in the band [pictured in February 2020]
Ritchie added of his fellow ’90s boy bands: ‘There was a bit of rivalry back in the day, but we’re cool now.’
Five sold 20 million records in their four years together, splitting in 2001.
In January 2014, it was announced that Ritchie would be taking part in celebrity skiing competition The Jump. He finished in third place.
Ritchie dated Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton, whom he shares Ella with. They split in March 2016.