Entertainer, producer and reality television star David Gest has died in a London hotel aged 62, a statement from his friend says.

Gest died at the Four Seasons hotel in Canary Wharf.

His friend and former bodyguard Imad Handi confirmed the news in a statement.

“It is with great sadness that I can confirm that David Gest has died today,” the statement read, adding he was a “huge talent”.


He had planned to tour the UK in July with his latest show, called the David Gest Is Not Dead But Alive With Soul Tour!.

Several singers were due to appear on the tour, including Dina Carroll and Freda Payne.

It was named after the mix-up on this year’s Celebrity Big Brother, when a fellow housemate mistakenly thought Gest – who was ill in bed – had died after she heard the news of David Bowie’s death.

Gest stayed in the Celebrity Big Brother house for 13 days but left the series on medical grounds.

In 2007, he was admitted to hospital with chest pains and respiratory problems.

One of his biggest successes during his career was producing the highest-rated music special in US music history – 2001’s Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration.

Reality TV shows

He was perhaps was best-known for being the estranged husband of singer Liza Minnelli. They were married from 2002-2003 and officially divorced in 2007. He was also a childhood friend of Jackson and his brother Tito.

The entertainer became well known in the UK after appearing on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2006, finishing in fourth place.

He later became a judge on talent show Grease Is The Word and in January he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in the UK.

Mr Handi added: “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.

Police statement
“If I may steal the words of one eminent critic, David was a natural star and a genuine celebrity. I will miss him desperately.”

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 10:17 on Tuesday 12 April to the Four Seasons hotel, in Westferry Circus 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.”

Police have said there appear to be no suspicious circumstances.

Gest was born on May 11, 1953 in Los Angeles, California. He worked as a music video and television producer and last year he toured the the UK with David Gest’s (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life Tour – which played 14 cities.

Article from deathbeeper.com