“Workhorse” Kelly Clarkson kept going during her ex Brandon Blackstock’s private three-year cancer battle because she had no other choice. The Grammy winner, 43, not only had a syndicated daily talk show to deliver, but she was also gearing up to launch her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in July, just weeks before his shocking death.

Brandon Blackstock, the late ex-husband of singer Kelly Clarkson, was a father of four. The talent manager died on August 7 after a private cancer diagnosis. Blackstock was 48 years old. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,

Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, died following a battle with cancer, his rep shared Aug. 7. He and Clarkson shared kids River Rose, 11, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 9.