Five Star singer Stedman Pearson's 'forbidden secret marriage' to Dubai royalty who 'vanished'

Music lovers were left shocked following the death of Five Star singer last month. The singer, known for hits including System Addict, Can't Wait Another Minute and Rain or Shine, .

Sharing the sad news, they wrote: “He was a gentleman to the very end – in every way and an amazing son, brother and uncle. May the memories and love he gave to us and the be our greatest comfort. He will be deeply missed.”

One month after his death, reports have emerged claiming that Stedman had secretly tied the knot to Hessah Al Maktoum – the daughter of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum – in the 90s. While she spent half of the year in the Dubai royal court, the remainder of Hessah’s time was spent in England, where she met Stedman.

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According to , the pair secretly married in July 1994 in Orange County civil court in Orlando, Florida. They allegedly had another ceremony at Haringey register office in north London, though their friends or family weren’t in attendance at either occasion. It’s reported that the couple tried to ensure that Hessah’s family never found out about their secret relationship.

“Getting married was reckless. They were two people from different cultures. She was a royal marrying without her family's blessing. Only in hindsight do you realise she must have been so frightened for them both,” a source told the publication.

Following their marriage, Stedman reportedly began introducing Hessah as his wife to his close friends. “After I'd met Hessah a few times I said to Stedman, "Who's this?" He said, "That's my wife, but nobody knows’,” one recalled. Another added that Hessah lived a “double life” and spent six months of the year in London enjoying things such as cinema trips before returning home for the next six months.

In 2008, two years after Hessah’s father died, it’s alleged the couple decided that they could no longer keep their marriage a secret. Stedman and Hessah allegedly hired a London law firm to help protect her assets from being seized by her family. The couple thought that, following a bombshell public announcement about their relationship, she would be cut off.

It’s claimed an announcement was planned for January 25, 2009, but before making it, Hessah was determined to speak to her family about her relationship. However, she allegedly was unable to do this and the announcement was never made.

According to friends of the couple, Hessah “suddenly vanished” from the UK and Stedman was reportedly left “inconsolable”. “She disappeared,” a source said. “She got pulled back to Dubai, I guess. We tried to help Stedman find out what happened, even raising a missing person report.”

However, nobody interviewed by the publication was able to say what’d happened to Hessah and there is no evidence to suggest she was forced to return to Dubai.

The musician died aged 60 last month, with his sister and fellow Five Star bandmate, . In a statement shared with the PA news agency, she said: “He died on March 10, he was on dialysis and he had diabetes.”

. Five Star were often described as a British version of due to their synchronised routines, costumes, and family links.

after reaching number 15 on the UK Singles Chart in 1985. Meanwhile their debut album Luxury of Life was certified platinum and they won the for Best British Group in 1987.

Following the sad news of his passing, fans took to social media to pay tribute to the singer. “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,” one person wrote on X.

Another added: “Was hoping this wasn’t true but I think it sadly is. Anyone who knows me know how much I love Five Star; my childhood was a magical time thanks to their music, mesmerising dance routines and of course the incredible costumes. Such a sad loss. RIP Stedman Pearson.”

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