Dean Saunders Tattoos Late Brother Ben’s Name on His Throat
Dean Saunders has permanently honored his late brother, Ben Saunders, by tattooing his name directly onto his throat. The 45-year-old singer shared footage of the new ink on Instagram, explaining that the specific placement holds a profound personal meaning. Ben Saunders passed away last month at the age of 43, after rising to national fame in 2011 by winning the inaugural season of The Voice of Holland. The permanent tribute arrives shortly after Dean released a musical single dedicated to his brother. “Today I had your name put on my throat forever, Ben,” he wrote online, noting that keeping his brother solely in his heart felt insufficient. The placement on his neck represents the source of his singing voice, the emotion he expresses, and his presence on stage every weekend. “My little brother. My blood. My Ben. With me forever,” Dean added.
Public Scrutiny Follows Musical Tribute
While Dean processes his grief through public tributes, the rapid release of his cover of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You”—noted as one of Ben’s favorite songs—has drawn sharp criticism from entertainment commentators in the Dutch media.
During an episode of RTL Boulevard, presenter Luuk Ikink questioned the timing of the release. “Had here very little time waited,” Ikink said, suggesting that waiting a few months out of respect for fans might have been more appropriate, as reported by Mediacourant.nl. Bridget Maasland added that the timing felt slightly premature, though she defended Dean’s right to grieve.
Media critic Rob Goossens heightened the scrutiny on RTL Boulevard by claiming the brothers experienced strained or distant contact in the months leading up to Ben’s death, which made the public release of the emotional cover song feel uncomfortable. Bridget Maasland countered that distance does not invalidate a sibling’s grief.
The backlash follows an even harsher critique from Story editor-in-chief Guido den Aantrekker, who labeled the rapid musical release “a form of grave robbing almost,” according to Mediacourant.nl.
Family Demands Privacy Amid Press Intrusion
Amid public commentary and media debates over his grieving process, Dean Saunders issued a firm plea for privacy. The singer stated via Instagram that his family has been continuously approached and harassed by the press since his brother’s passing.
“We are deliberately not cooperating with this,” Dean stated on Instagram, addressing the volume of unverified stories circulating in the media. “We are not looking for attention and have absolutely no need for it.” He emphasized that many published reports rely on assumptions rather than facts, noting that a “very painful reason” prevented the family from attending Ben’s final farewell in closed circles.
“There are things that have happened that can no longer be repaired and can no longer be glued for us either,” Dean wrote, declining to elaborate further while asking for respect for the family’s grief.
Friends Remember Ben Saunders’ Final Public Appearance
Edsilia Rombley shared her shock and sorrow over Ben’s passing after crossing paths with him shortly before his death. The singer performed at Berget Lewis’s wedding, an event where Rombley also sang and interacted with him.
Rombley told Show news (as reported by Vriendin.nl) that Ben appeared visibly happy, joyful, and relaxed during the ceremony. “We were all in shock,” Rombley said regarding the news of his death, noting that his lively performance on the wedding day now carries a significantly different emotional weight for those who attended. Following the wedding, Ben was reported missing, triggering a search around the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen near Arnhem before his death was confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dean and Ben Saunders
How did Ben Saunders achieve national prominence?
Ben Saunders won the first season of The Voice of Holland in 2011, establishing a successful career as a Dutch pop singer before his death at age 43.
Where did Dean Saunders place his tattoo tribute and why?
Dean tattooed Ben’s name on his throat because it is the exact physical location where his singing voice originates and where he expresses his emotions on stage.
What specific song did Dean Saunders release as a tribute?
Dean recorded a cover of Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” which he identified as one of Ben’s favorite tracks.
What did Edsilia Rombley say about Ben Saunders shortly before he died?
Rombley stated that she saw Ben at Berget Lewis’s wedding, where he performed and appeared genuinely happy, relaxed, and joyful.
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