X Factor singer Freddie Combs dead at 49 after suffering kidney failure

THE X factor alum Freddie Combs died on Friday at the age of 49.

He was a fan favorite contestant during season 2 of the singing competition.

His wife Kay revealed he passed away due to kidney failure and his death was not caused by Covid, reports TMZ.

Freddie was surrounded by family and friends at a Florida hospital at the time of his passing.

Kay shared that she knew the day before his death that he was about to die but was happy to have gotten that last day with him.

"I have so much gratitude to be his wife for 25 years and to be his best friend,” she added.

Prior to his time on The X Factor, Freddie had a near-death experience due to obesity, as he weighed 920 pounds at that time.

The minister said on the reality show that he loved singing as part of his job but was on disability due to his health issues and no longer had his minister role.

He shared that he decided to make some changes in his life and dropped almost 300 pounds, performing on the reality show at 540 pounds.

Kay revealed that Freddie continued to work on his health in the decade since his time on The X Factor and got down to 385 pounds.

He performed Wind Beneath My Wings during his audition, dedicating the song to his wife.

Before the judges gave him a “yes” to continue on in the competition, Simon Cowell made a deal with Freddie that he wanted him to promise to focus on his health and be able to get out of his wheelchair.

Freddie agreed to the deal, and Kay shared that he kept that promise.

Though he never won the competition, he did manage to lose more than 400lbs from 2009, when he weighed 920lbs.

Freddie and wife Katrina "Kay" Rife starred in two episodes of TLC's special Heavily Ever After, which documented the everyday struggles of overweight couples as they attempt to slim down.

The two had been married since July 1996.