Tragic 1980s pop star Hazel O’Connor is living “hand to mouth” after suffering a crippling brain bleed and being unable to work for three years.
A video showed the singer taking part in a singing practice session as part of her recovery, with friends saying the sessions are a “real lifeline” and help with her speech rehabilitation.
Friends Claire Wheeler and Danny Gerrard have revealed Hazel’s financial plight, saying she has no savings despite her successful music career and still requires carers three times a day, as reported by Need To Know.
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They said: “We’d just like to share with you the recent video of Hazel and her friends having one of their singing practice sessions.
“These sessions are a real lifeline to Hazel and are a great way to work on her speech rehabilitation.
“Hazel continues to make good progress but still has a long road ahead. She and Diva are adjusting to life without Lolly, after she was tragically killed by a snake last month. Hazel’s dogs are her lifeline.”
Hazel rose to fame in the early 1980s after writing the soundtrack and starring in the film Breaking Glass as Kate Crowley.
She went on to write two more hit albums but, according to her friends, never received the earnings she was owed from her success due to what they described as an “unscrupulous music industry”.
They said: “Anyone who is a fan of Hazel O’Connor will know that she spent the following years writing songs and albums and touring extensively.
“Hazel has brought comfort to so many for so long with her music and lyrics that resonate and connect with one and all.
“Hazel always had all the time in the world for her fans and would spend hours after gigs talking to fans, signing autographs and posing for photos.
“She kept us all entertained during lockdown with her Facebook live videos, which showed what a truly down-to-earth, caring and compassionate lady she is.”
Hazel suffered the brain bleed at her home in the South of France in January 2022 while she was alone with her dogs, Lolly and Diva.
Her friends said she was unable to raise the alarm and was only discovered some time later before being rushed to hospital.
They said the bleed affected the right-hand side of her body, causing movement and speech difficulties, and that she had spent the last three years battling through her recovery.
They said: “Hazel is a real fighter, and she has spent the last three years battling in her recovery.
“Money has already been raised to help cover medical expenses and bills, and Hazel is eternally grateful.
“Despite her fame, Hazel has lived hand to mouth all her life and had no savings.
“She has been unable to work since the bleed.”
Hazel still requires carers three times a day, with her friends saying the considerable monthly bill is a constant worry.
Claire and Danny have now set up a fundraiser to provide Hazel with financial support towards her care and give her an income while she continues her recovery.
They said: “This fundraiser is being set up by me and Danny Gerrard to give Hazel financial support to pay for her care bill and provide her with an income to make her life a little more comfortable so she can continue to work on her recovery with as few worries as possible.
“Please help us to give something back to Hazel after all she has given to others over the years.”
At the time of writing, £23,441 had been raised.
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