TRAGIC X Factor star Ariel Burdett was found dead with a stab wound to her neck, an inquest heard today.
Ariel – whose real name was Amy – was found dead at her home in Leeds aged 38 on November 12 after staff for her landlord checked on her eight days previous.
An inquest opening today heard how they went to her house on November 4 after concerns were raised about her welfare.
Ms Burdett did not answer or respond to attempts to contact her and the employees returned to the house eight days later with a locksmith, Wakefield Coroner's Court heard.
Once inside the property, they found Ms Burdett on her back in bed with blood on the carpet.
Pathologist Dr Lisa Barker issued a preliminary cause of death as an incised wound to the neck.
Ms Burdett had one of the hit ITV show's most memorable auditions when she appeared on X Factor in 2008.
She clashed with judges Cheryl and Simon Cowell and ripped off her ID number when she came on.
She said during the audition: "I am not a number, I am a human being".
A video of the talent show trial, which was her dubbed "the world's angriest woman" has been viewed more than three million times online.
'I AM NOT A NUMBER'
She told Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Tweedy and Louis Walsh she was a "holistic vocal coach".
Coroner Jonathan Leach adjourned the inquest until a later date, which has not yet been set.
We revealed Ms Burdett "struggled with demons" and "regretted" appearing on the hit ITV show, according to a pal.
Andrew Smalling, 35, knew Amy from the Chemic Tavern pub, in Wodehouse, Leeds, where she lived.
He told Sun Online: “We were shocked when we heard she’d died. She’d struggled with demons for a while.
“I think she regretted appearing on X Factor because she actually a decent musician and it sort of tainted her.”
Touching tributes poured in from shocked pals after the popular reality TV contestant's death.
She was a popular figure around Woodhouse with her distinctive look.
Student Sara Laughlin, 20, said: "A lot of us knew who she was because we’d seen her on X Factor as kids.
“Hers was one of those memorable TV moments.
"It’s so very sad she has died.”
X FACTOR 'TAINTED' ARIEL
Tributes also poured in from wellwishers and fans on Twitter.
One person tweeted: "RIP Ariel Burdett, the iconic Holistic Vocal Coach who provided one of the most legendary moments on TV.
"She was a generalist, not specialist, she was a human being, not a number.
"Her voice did many things and she will be dearly missed."
Another posted: "Ariel Burdett is dead omg. Despite not getting through and whatnot, she was talked about more than most contestants and will forever be an x factor legend! RIP
And a third wrote: "Really sad to hear about Ariel Burdett aka the Holistic Vocal Coach passing away.
"She brought so much joy to me and so many people, and will be remembered with absolute love by so many of us."
A Facebook post advised wellwishers to contact her brother for details of her funeral.
No family members were present during the brief hearing today.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "On November 12, police were called to an address in the Woodhouse area of Leeds where a woman had been found dead.
"There were no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner's Office was informed."
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