Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, the DJ and dancing sidekick for Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show has passed away aged forty years old.
Boss first rose to fame on season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance way back in 2008. He came runner-up, but returned to the series often, and even appeared as one of the show’s ‘All-Stars’ in its seventh season. The dancer also reappeared as a judge earlier this year.
Then, in 2014, Boss became a regular feature on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after his initial appearance as a guest DJ. His dancing skills and his close friendship with Ellen made Boss a firm favourite for fans of the show.
The Alabama native became such an integral part of Ellen’s series that he was even made an executive producer in 2020.
Allison Holker Boss, the star’s wife, shared a statement with People confirming her husband’s tragic death.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she said.
“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.
“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt.”
She continued: “I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honour his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our 3 children.
“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you,” she concluded the heartbreaking message.
Ellen has also paid tribute to her friend, by taking to Twitter to share her message: “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light.
“He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
Police have confirmed that Boss died of suicide, with his cause of death being a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the wake of his death, the star’s final Instagram posts have resurfaced, and it is breaking hearts all over the world.
In his last solo post, Boss paid tribute to his wife, as they celebrated their 9-year wedding anniversary.
However, the star’s final post on the social media site was a shared one with his wife. The short clip shows the pair dancing together in front of a Christmas tree.
It is captioned: “HOLIDAY SUNDAY FUNDAY DANCE !!! With my lover.”
Fans have flocked to the posts to share their messages of heartbreak.
Actress Olivia Munn wrote: “Oh my goodness… my whole heart is with you and your family.”
Fellow dancer Brian Friedman said: “Knowing you’re watching over your beautiful family and that they have the most devoted angel brings me peace. Love you tWitch.”
