Il Divo singer Carlos Marín has died at age 53, the vocal group announced Sunday.
"It is with heavy hearts that we are letting you know that our friend and partner, Carlos Marin, has passed away," Marín's groupmates said in a statement shared on Il Divo's website.
"He will be missed by his friends, family and fans," vocalists Urs Bühler, David Miller and Sébastien Izambard said.
They said "there will never be another voice or spirit like Carlos."
"For 17 years the four of us have been on this incredible journey of Il Divo together, and we will miss our dear friend," they said, adding: "We hope and pray that his beautiful soul will rest in peace."
The group had said Thursday on Twitter that Marín was admitted to a hospital during Il Divo's U.K. tour. It postponed the rest of its December U.K. tour dates by at least a year, citing "illness."
It is not clear why Marín was admitted to the hospital.
Il Divo, which Simon Cowell brought together in 2003, swept to international fame and produced three U.K. No. 1 albums, according to the British Official Charts Company.
In a statement on Twitter, Cowell said he was "devastated."
"I am finding this so difficult to put into words how I feel right now. I am devastated Carlos Marin has passed away," he said.
"He loved life. He loved performing and always had so much appreciation towards the fans who supported the group from day 1," Cowell said. "Rest in peace Carlos. I will miss you."
Marín, a baritone, was born in Germany and moved to Spain as a child.
He was married to the Franco-Spanish singer and actor Geraldine Larrosa, known by the stage name Innocence, until 2009.
He is quoted on Il Divo’s website as having once said singing was his “way of saying what I feel, my way of life.”
"Singing is what makes me feel alive," he said. "So thank you for letting me continue making a living from what I love."