Entertainer, producer and reality television star David Gest has died in a London hotel aged 62

David Gest, who is a former husband of singer Liza Minnelli, died at the Four Seasons hotel in Canary Wharf.

His friend and ex-bodyguard Imad Handi confirmed the news in a statement.
American Gest was best known in the UK for his appearances on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and Celebrity Big Brother.

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 Angie Bowie informed Tiffany Pollard that David - meaning her ex-husband Bowie - had died during their time on the reality show. Pollard broke down in tears believing Gest, who was ill in bed at the time, had died.

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

He was perhaps best known for his marriage to Minnelli. They were married in 2002 and officially divorced in 2007. He was also a childhood friend of Jackson and his brother Tito.

Gest's name-dropping anecdotes and raucous tales of showbiz friendships during his appearances on reality TV shows won him legions of fans in the UK.

BBC News