’He’s had some challenges’: Australian Idol winner Stan Walker, 27, appears …

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He’s the New Zealand-born singer who shot to fame as the winner of the final season of Australian Idol 

And ten years after his auspicious reality show win, Stan Walker looks almost unrecognisable, appearing gaunt and thin in recent public appearances.

Management for the 27-year-old hitmaker told Newshub on Friday that Stan is battling a undisclosed health issue.

’He has had some challenges healthwise but he will be back and working towards a new single release in March,’ Stan’s management told the publication.

Recent photos of Stan show quite a dramatic transformation from the fuller faced singer that graced the Australian Idol stage a decade ago. 

On Thursday night, Stan took to Instagram to share an image with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.

In the comments fans pointed out Stan’s dramatic weight loss and were concerned for his wellbeing.

’You’re an inspiration to many, and so many need a kind soul to help guide the future towards goodness. Make sure and take care of yourself too, quite a task you’ve accepted, one fan wrote.

Another chimed in with a similar: ’why are you so skinny, dude?’ 

Sharing an image of the guests assembled at the event, Jacinda, who sat next to Stan, alluded to the singer’s ill health.

’This photo does not do last night justice,’ Jacinda wrote.

 ’It was such a privilege to be at the dinner celebrating all of the young people who took part in something called the PM’s Youth Programme. 

’The stories warmed my heart, And thanks @stanwalker for joining us despite being unwell.’ 

Newshub also reported that Stan’s performance at the upcoming One Love festival would go ahead as Stan was feeling ’well enough’.

Stan suffered a blow in 2016 when he was forced to cancel a New Zealand tour after his mother April was diagnosed with breast cancer.

’Friends, it is with sadness that I need to postpone my tour. I need to be with my Mum while she recovers from breast cancer. All we need as a family is your love and prayers,’ Walker said in a statement at the time.

After his auspicious Idol win, Stan went on to release five studio albums – his latest being 2015’s Truth & Soul as well as making forays into acting, starring in such fare as Hunt For The Wilderpeople.