Ben Saunders (9 July 1983 – 15 September 2026) was an English-born Dutch singer who won the first-ever title of the Dutch singing competition series The Voice of Holland broadcast on RTL 4. The final of 2010–2011 season was held live on 21 January 2011. Saunders was also a tattoo artist. He was popularly known as "Tattoo Ben".
Early life Saunders was of English origin. He was the younger brother of Dean Saunders who on 22 January 2011, won the title of the third season (2010–2011) of the Dutch music competition Popstars, notably only a day after Ben's victory on The Voice.
Brothers Ben and Dean Saunders both started applying to talent competitions early like for the series Daddy's Wish. They also took part in 1998 in Life is like a box of chocolates program.
Career 1998–2003: Follow That Dream
In 2000, Dean and Ben Saunders both took part in RTL 4's Alles voor de band: Follow that dream. They were part of the band Follow That Dream (F.T.D.) (that included besides the two brothers Vanessa Eman, Rosa Vuik, Linda van Toornburg and Peter van der Meer. The band was signed to Dino Music record label.
Their debut single the self-titled "Follow That Dream" was released in November 2000 reaching No. 25 in the Dutch Top 40. 6 months later, the band split after the great popularity of the rival Starmaker show.
2003: Eurovision Song Contest entry On 15 February 2003 the Saunders brothers took part in the 2003 Dutch Nationaal Songfestival, a Dutch national music pre-selection contest for qualification to Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Riga, Latvia. They performed the song "Stand As One" in the third heat under the name "The Brothers" getting just 10 points and finishing with 3% of the popular vote as seventh out of 8 participants.
2010–2026: The Voice of Holland In 2010, Ben Saunders applied to The Voice of Holland singing competition proving to be very popular with both judges and the voting public, after singing in his audition "Use Somebody" from Kings of Leon. Ben was coached by Roel van Velzen. In the final, he sang his number one single, his cover version rendition of "If You Don't Know Me by Now" and duetted with Welsh singer Duffy on her song "Warwick Avenue" and won by 59% of the votes against runner-up Pearl Jozefzoon.
Saunders charted with four different songs in the top 15 of the Dutch charts, including attaining No. 1 position with his single "Kill For a Broken Heart".
Personal life Ben Saunders was born in England in 1983, but moved to the Netherlands in 1986, aged three. He resided in Hoorn, about 35 kilometres north of Amsterdam.
Before applying to the competition, Ben Saunders worked as a tattoo artist. He owned a tattoo parlour in Hoorn. He was popularly nicknamed "Tattoo Ben" because of his extensive tattoos.
In 2014 Saunders joined the notorious Satudarah motor club;Ben Saunders lid van motorclub Satudarah Nu.nl 13 December 2014 club meetings had been occasionally hosted in his tattoo parlour since.Grimmige sfeer in Hoorn tijdens confrontatie Satudarah en Hells Angels Nu.nl 13 April 2015 In May 2015 Saunders was arrested for assaulting a traffic warden.Ben Saunders slaat verkeersregelaar tegen de vlakte RTV Noord Holland 5 May 2015Ben 'Voice of Holland' Saunders opgepakt voor mishandeling NOS 5 May 2015Ben Saunders opgepakt voor mishandeling Algemeen Dagblad 5 May 2015
On 15 September 2026, his body was found in the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen in Arnhem. It is believed he drowned, aged 43.
Discography Albums YearTitleChart positionsAsNL 2000The Album-Band: Follow That Dream 2011You Thought You Knew Me By Now1Solo: Ben Saunders 2012Heart & Soul7
Singles YearTitleChart positionsAsNL 40NL 100TR 100 2000Follow that dream2513-Band: Follow That Dream 2001One night in Shanghai--- 2003Stand as one---Duo: The Brothers 2010I'm in love with a girl-19-Solo: Ben SaundersIf you don't know me by know111-Dancing in the street (ft. Alain Clark)-28-When a man loves a woman431- 2011I heard it through the grapevine-6-Kill for a broken heart41-Dry your eyes178-All over4372-Heart strings (this is love)5830- 2012Heart strings – International version-97-No cure339- 2014What you do (feat. Glowinthedark)--1
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