David Gest has been found dead in his London hotel room in Canary Wharf today (April 12), it's been reported.
David Gest
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement which read: "Police were called at 10:17hrs on Tuesday 12 April to the Four Seasons hotel, in Westferry Circus, E14, to reports of an unexplained death of a man in his 60s. London Ambulance Service were called to the scene. Life was pronounced extinct at the hotel.
"A post-mortem will be held in due course. Next of kin are in the process of being informed."
Close friend Imad Handi added in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm that David Gest has died today.
"David was truly larger than life. He was not just a huge talent and a dear friend but a showbiz icon.
"I know he will be missed by millions of fans around the world, and particularly in Britain, who came to love his charm and blistering one-liners.
"If I may steal the words of one eminent critic, David was a natural star and a genuine celebrity. I will miss him desperately.
The shocking news comes ahead of a scheduled tour for Gest, which would have seen him play 24 gigs across the UK alongside Freda Payne, Dina Carroll and Russell Thompkins, Jr.
Gest was a contestant in this year's winter edition of Celebrity Big Brother, but the flamboyant star left 13 days after his entry on medical grounds.
His death is now currently being treated as unexplained, but police say there appears to be no suspicious circumstances.
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