Five Star singer Stedman Pearson has died aged 60. The British singer shot to fame in the 80s when his brother and sisters formed the British pop and R&B group. Their dad formed the award-winning group in Romford, Essex with the hope of creating the next Jackson 5. The siblings were Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris, and Delroy Pearson, and they were known for their glamorous image, matching costumes and dance routines. The five became three in 2001, with Stedman continuing to perform with his sisters Denis and Lorraine. A cause of death is currently not known.
Five Star band member Lorraine has paid tribute to her brother and said on social media: “RIP Stedman Pearson from Five Star”, along with a heart emoji. Stedman’s friend and lead singer of pop band B-YOND wrote, “Woke up to learn of my friends passing…… HE was one of the gentlest and lovely people I knew.. an awesome dancer with just a childlike zest for life…. you made a huge difference to my life and will be missed muchly !!! @StedmanPearson.” Tributes have poured in online from fans on social media as one person tweeted: “This week I received the sad news that Stedman Pearson, the eldest of the famous Five Star eighties/nineties family quintet, has passed. I got to know him very well over 14 years, before being entrusted with his unpublished biography which was completed recently. RIP Sted.”
Stedman Pearson: Five star icon pictured (C) dies aged 60 (Image: GETTY)
Stedman Pearson has died at the age of 60 (Image: Getty)
A second penned: “Another icon gone. Stedman Pearson (29.06.1964 – 10.03.2025) was a British singer, most notable for being a member of the 1980s pop group Five Star with his four siblings. He was aged 60. Our condolences to all the family.”
A third shared: “Man I loved Five Star growing up. RIP Stedman Pearson.”
A fourth remarked: “Very sad to hear about the passing of Stedman Pearson of Five Star! I met him and the band years ago at a spa. They were so down to earth. RIP Stedman. No age at all. My age!”
Another wrote: “Sad to hear that lovely Stedman Pearson has passed away. I knew Steeman in the noughties when he would often come down to Heaven where I dj’d. He was such a sweet gentle person and always used to smell divine. I commented on this once to him and the very next week he came to see me with a huge and very expensive bottle of cologne as a gift. He was lovely.
Five Star rose to fame in the 80s and enjoyed a string of chart-topping hits (Image: Getty)
Stedman Pearson pictured with his sister Denise Pearson (Image: Getty)
“Sleep well Stedman and once again – thank you for my cologne. I still have the bottle!”
Five Star became the the youngest group ever to top the British charts, and also the first black group to top the UK charts.
They had a string of chart-topping hits including System Addict, Can’t Wait Another Minute and Rain or Shine.
Stedman was the eldest of five siblings, and he studied both dance and fashion at college prior to embarking on a career in music.
In 1983, Stedman, then aged 19, joined his teen brother and sisters to make Five Star.
From 1985 to 1988 they had four top 20 albums and 15 top 40 singles and soon became a household name. The hit group also won the 1987 Brit Award for Best British Group.
Five Star were also known for their glamorous costumes and striking makeup as well as their impeccable dance routines.
Stedman also delved into television work and in 2006, he finished in third place on Channel 5’s All Star Talent Show. He also appeared as a contestant on BBC’s Celebrity Scissorhands in 2008.
