Russian music critic and television presenter Sergei Sosedov, who served as a judge on the Ukrainian «X Factor» on STB, has died aged 58. The news was announced on 23 September by his colleague Vadim Takmenev. According to him, he passed away in the morning. Russian media have linked the incident to a trip to Yakutia, although there is no publicly confirmed definitive cause of death.
Briefly about the main points
- TV presenter Vadim Takmenev announced Sosedov’s death.
- The critic and television presenter was 58 years old.
- The media are reporting on a possible accident in Yakutia.
- Sosyedov was a judge on the «X Factor» programme on STB.
- He subsequently supported Putin and the annexation of Crimea.
The media are reporting that it was an accident
For the team behind the Russian television programme «Superstar», with whom Neighbours He had worked for many years, so his death came as a surprise, said Takmenev.
Russian media outlets, citing sources close to the TV presenter, report that this happened during a trip to Yakutia. These reports suggest it was an accident. *Moskovsky Komsomolets* reported a possible fall down the stairs, but this information has not been publicly confirmed by a medical report.
Work on a Ukrainian show and Russian television programmes
Sosiedov was a member of the judging panel on the Ukrainian «X Factor» from 2010 to 2015. Archival footage from STB confirms his involvement in the programme from the very first series, as well as in material from the sixth series.
On the show, he judged the contestants« performances and worked with his protégés as a mentor. »The X Factor’ made him a household name Ukrainian audience. He also worked on Russian television on the programme *Sharks of the Pen*, was a judge on *Superstar! The Comeback* and presented the talk show *Beyond the Edge* on NTV.
Public support for Putin and the annexation of Crimea
After working in Ukrainian television, Sosedov publicly supported Vladimir Putin and echoed the Kremlin’s claims regarding Ukraine. In 2014, he justified Russia’s seizure of Crimea. Ukraine and the international community consider Russia’s annexation of the peninsula to be illegal.
A former colleague of Sosedov on «X Factor», a producer Ihor Kondratyuk, said that after the occupation of Crimea Communication between them became strained. According to him, the critic justified the occupation of the peninsula and, as a result, clashed with the project staff.
