It’s been 10 years since ‘David’s dead!’ On the anniversary of CBB’s iconic saga here’s what REALLY happened on the show and where the housemates are now

It is hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the ‘David’s dead’ gaffe on Celebrity Big Brother.

On January 11, 2016, reality TV viewers were stunned when Tiffany Pollard mistakenly believed Angie Bowie was talking about David Gest, not her ex-husband David Bowie, who had sadly passed away.

In a particularly memorable scene from the show, Tiffany mistakenly believed her housemate, David Gest, had died, and she reacted with overwhelming emotion.

The housemates hurried into the bedroom, worried about David, who had been feeling sick and had fallen asleep.

The clips quickly became popular online, and the people living in the house later shared the full story of what went on, including things that weren’t shown on TV.

So what else really happened that day?

Fellow housemate Christopher Maloney shared that during the argument, Tiffany reportedly said she wanted to harm Angie.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Chris just told GQ magazine that they seriously cut so much from what happened after! Like, half of it is missing! I knew it! I knew there was more to the story, and now he’s confirmed it! I need to know what they left out! It’s driving me crazy!

We attempted to comfort Tiffany, as Angie had recently lost her ex-husband. I had to physically separate her from the situation, and everyone was asking what had occurred.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe what else happened that night! Apparently, poor Scotty T actually choked on his dinner and needed doctors! I mean, can you even imagine?! It was just one crazy thing after another, and I was absolutely glued to the screen, worrying about him! It was so scary!

John Partridge cooked steak for dinner, but as they began to eat, Scotty started to turn red, then purple, and finally blue.

Chris said the man was choking on a piece of steak that got lodged in his throat. John Partridge performed the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the steak, and paramedics then took him away. Chris added that it was a very close call.

He said that even though it happened in 2016, the experience still feels recent. It was a very powerful and memorable time, challenging but ultimately rewarding, and something he’ll never forget.

And what became of all the housemates?

David Gest

David Gest tragically died in April 2016, not long after appearing on the reality show Celebrity Big Brother.

The 62-year-old producer died in his hotel room at the Four Seasons in Canary Wharf, east London, on April 12th. His housemates were among those who attended the funeral.

I was absolutely heartbroken to hear about David’s passing, especially because he was so excited about his upcoming tour. It was brilliantly titled ‘David Gest Is Not Dead but Alive With Soul,’ and he’d been planning it for months. It just feels incredibly unfair that he didn’t get to share it with the world.

The tour’s name references a memorable scene from Celebrity Big Brother. The tour poster depicts David Gest rising from a coffin, with the dates ‘Born 11.5.1953. Died in the CBB House 11.1.2016’ displayed on it.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Gest was close friends with both Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor.

Let me tell you, appearing on shows like Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! really launched him into the spotlight here in the UK. It completely made him a household name – a real turning point in his career, honestly!

Christopher Maloney

The X Factor contestant remains a singer, actor, and TV host. His audition video had already been viewed by 92.78 million people by 2026.

He’s promised to stop having cosmetic surgery, stating that getting veneers in 2023 was his last procedure – his 25th overall.

The star has undergone nine hair transplants, eight nose jobs, an eyebrow life and cheek lift.

Let’s talk hair! I’ve been following Christopher’s journey, and he recently shared what prompted his ninth hair transplant. It all started after his time on The X Factor – the stress of being in the spotlight caused him to lose hair. He said it really accelerated when his grandmother sadly passed away. It’s a reminder that stress can absolutely impact our physical well-being, and it’s okay to address those things!

Following his father’s death in August, he started losing his hair again, which led him to get another hair transplant.

Christopher has spoken openly about prioritizing his mental health, explaining he struggles with body dysmorphia. He shared that seeing his reflection makes him feel unwell.

He shared that body dysmorphia, along with anxiety and depression, has significantly impacted his life, and these feelings have worsened considerably over the last year.

I’m facing my twentieth surgery in just seven years, and it’s a very serious one. I realize it’s a lot, but I feel helpless to stop. I want to, but I don’t know how.

Danniella Westbrook

Sadly Danniella is still battling an array of health issues due to her cocaine addiction.

The actress was scheduled to return to acting in the new movie, Tales From The Trap.

The actress has been replaced in the role after being hospitalized with breathing problems before Christmas. These health issues stem from long-term complications related to a previously collapsed septum.

Sources told the Daily Mail that the actress, who hasn’t appeared in a movie or television program since 2016, needed to see a doctor on Friday because she was having trouble breathing.

She recently shared that she will be traveling to Dubai in January for another surgery to repair the health problems caused by her past cocaine use.

After these initial steps, she’ll need a few more small procedures, along with a £45,000 neck and face lift. Her surgeon, Dr. Parviz Sadigh, estimates her recovery will take about two years.

The actress recently started a talent agency and promises its clients will avoid the negative experiences with fame she’s faced over the years.

Gemma Collins

After appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Gemma has become a well-known figure across the country.

After a memorable stumble that everyone remembered, she competed on Dancing On Ice in 2019.

Gemma Collins and her fiancé, Rami Hawash, have announced they are expecting a baby and plan to get married in 2026.

The 44-year-old former TOWIE star, who has publicly shared her struggles with getting pregnant, posted on Instagram while enjoying a last glass of champagne before welcoming her baby and celebrating the New Year.

She shared some photos and announced some exciting news: she’s getting married this year and is also expecting a baby! She celebrated New Year’s Eve with close friends, and it was the last champagne toast before she starts planning her wedding.

Stephanie Davis and Jeremy McConnell

Since forming a romance on the show, Stephanie and Jeremy went on to welcome a son, Caben.

Their troubled relationship continued to deteriorate, and Jeremy was found guilty of attacking Stephanie. He received an 18-week prison sentence during a virtual hearing at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

He went to prison because he chose to get a hair and beard transplant in Turkey instead of completing his required community service.

In a separate incident, Stephanie required hospital treatment after Jeremy allegedly forced a glass into her hand during a disagreement.

Stephanie claimed she suffered two severed tendons and had to undergo surgery.

Okay, so after everything with Jeremy, Stephanie actually had another baby! It’s her second son, and the dad is Joe McKalroy, though they’re not together anymore. I’ve been following her for years and honestly, I’m just so happy for her, even if things didn’t work out with Joe. It’s amazing how she keeps moving forward!

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following this story closely. The actress and Joe started dating in 2022, and for three years, they shared a very public relationship. They were incredibly open about the pain they went through, especially after sadly losing their baby three months into the pregnancy in 2022. It was a really brave thing for them to share, and I think it resonated with so many people.

She said it was a truly awful time, explaining that she and her partner had been planning for a family of four. They were overjoyed to welcome their son, Samuel, last year.

However, they broke up in June. She wrote a statement saying she never imagined she’d have to confirm the split, but felt she had no other option due to the rumors.

This news was completely unexpected and has been incredibly difficult to process. Just four months after giving birth – a time when mothers are especially sensitive and vulnerable – I’m now navigating this challenging situation alone.

I really thought I’d finally found lasting happiness, especially after everything I’ve overcome. Sadly, that hasn’t turned out to be true.

I’m so thankful for the time we shared, because it led me to my son, Samuel, who will always come first in my life.

I’m currently prioritizing my well-being and focusing on my family, especially my two sons. I’m so grateful for the support and kind messages I’ve received – they’ve truly meant a lot. – Stephanie X

Jeremy and his partner, Katie McCreath, welcomed a daughter in 2019. He also frequently participates in Hyrox competitions.

Jonathan Cheban

Jonathan Cheban first became famous for being close friends with the Kardashians, especially Kim, before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.

He became good friends with Gemma Collins during his time on the show, but he decided to leave after just seven days. He explained that he was struggling with anxiety and didn’t like the negative vibe in the house.

After appearing on a reality show, Jonathan, now 52, transformed his image and became a popular food influencer. He even legally changed his name to Foodgod in 2019.

He has 3.7 million followers on Instagram and says he eats out every day of the year.

I remember when James and Gemma briefly crossed paths again in 2019 – he made a cameo on her reality show, Gemma Collins: Diva Forever. It was fun to see those two together on screen!

Kristina Rihanoff

Kristina Rihanoff, who previously competed on Strictly Come Dancing, shared on the third day of being in the house that she was three months pregnant with her daughter, Milena, who is now nine years old.

The 48-year-old dancer dated former rugby player Ben Cohen after they were paired together on the show Strictly Come Dancing.

Kristina and Ben briefly split up in 2025 but they are now back together.

The Russian dancer continues to pursue her love of dance and is now mentoring Milena as she develops her own dance career.

Last year, Mila – also known as Milena – impressively won national championships in both Latin and Ballroom dance before she even turned ten years old.

Megan McKenna

Megan McKenna first gained recognition on the reality show Ex On The Beach before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.

Since then, the 33-year-old has been consistently working, including appearing on the reality show TOWIE for multiple seasons.

She later pursued a career in music, releasing her first album, ‘The Story Of Me,’ in 2018. The next year, she won ‘The X Factor: Celebrity’.

Megan and Oliver Burke had their son, Landon, in October 2024. They later got married in June 2025.

Nancy Dell’Olio

Nancy Dell’Olio, an Italian socialite, gained fame for her relationship with Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former manager of the England national football team. They were together from 1998 to 2002.

She became the second housemate evicted from the series on day 11.

Nancy, now 64, has occasionally appeared on television since then. In January 2022, she was a contestant on Celebrity Coach Trip, teaming up with Chesney Hawkes.

Later that year, she competed on the show Celebrity Mastermind, but unfortunately, she was the first contestant eliminated from her qualifying round.

She’s still active on social media and recently starred in the TV show Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted last year.

Scotty T

Scotty T won Celebrity Big Brother 17 after being voted the winner by viewers on day 32.

Best known for appearing on Geordie Shore, he returned to the show in 2022 and again in 2025.

He was fired from the show in March after being banned from driving and becoming involved in a cocaine scandal.

The 37-year-old reality star admitted to driving under the influence of drugs, with a test showing levels above the legal limit.

After pleading guilty, Scotty was fined £330 and banned from driving for a year.

In October 2025, he became a father to a baby boy, born to a university student from Newcastle.

Although they aren’t a couple, the two parents have agreed to co-parent their son and share the responsibilities of raising him.

Tiffany Pollard

I’ll never forget watching Tiffany Pollard on Celebrity Big Brother! She quickly became iconic, and honestly, her ‘David’s Dead!’ misunderstanding is one of the funniest and most talked-about moments in reality TV history. She genuinely thought David Guest had passed away in the house, and it just became this huge, viral thing. She’s truly unforgettable!

She made it to the final round and finished fourth, winning over the audience with her funny and lively personality.

Since then, Tiffany, now 44, has continued her work in reality television, appearing on shows such as Famously Single and Worst Cooks in America.

She’s also been a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race and recently hosted the OUTtv show, Slayers: Wheel of Fate.

In October, Tiffany publicly shared that she identifies as queer and feels a blend of both feminine and masculine qualities.

John Partridge

EastEnders star John Partridge reached the final on day 32, finishing in sixth place.

Since turning 54, the actor has been concentrating on performing in musical theatre, with roles in shows like Chicago, Cabaret, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Last year, he starred in the play The Code, which depicted the challenges faced by a gay actor in 1950s Hollywood.

As a longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, I was really struck by what John said on Good Morning Britain. He brought up a really important point – that despite progress, there’s still a lot of hidden prejudice in Hollywood. He believes many gay actors feel pressured to stay in the closet, and it’s frustrating to see that fear still exists. It’s a brave thing to call out, and I think he’s right to do so.

He stated bluntly that homophobia still exists in Hollywood, explaining that openly gay actors are effectively barred from playing leading roles.

Winston McKenzie

Winston McKenzie, a former boxer and spokesperson for UKIP, sparked outrage while on the show by comparing gay adoption to child abuse.

Before going into the house, he stated in a pre-recorded interview: ‘I’d really struggle to live with someone who is gay. I think I’d end up having to distance myself from them constantly.’

He was the first housemate evicted on Day 4 and was booed by the audience on his exit.

Winston, age 72, has run for office several times as an independent or with a smaller political party, but he hasn’t won any elections.

In 2017, he founded the Union In Action party, becoming its Leader and appointing his partner, Marianne Bowness, as Treasurer.

Darren Day

Now 57, the actor came in third on the popular show, hoping to reshape his public image. He wanted to show a more relaxed side of himself, having previously battled addiction.

After leaving his home, Darren – who had previously dated celebrities like Isla Fisher and Anna Friel, and later had a long-term relationship with Suzanne Shaw from the band Hear’Say (who is 13 years younger than him) – released an album featuring his favorite songs from musical theatre.

After that, Darren appeared in the stage show ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ and had a role on the soap opera ‘Hollyoaks.’ He also became a frequent performer in pantomime shows.

In 2017, the actor revisited a familiar role, appearing as Teen Angel in a new production of Grease. He had previously starred as Danny Zuko in the show.

Currently, and starting in 2021, Darry is touring the UK and Ireland performing as Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago.

Darren’s relationships have often been a public focus, especially after his well-known romance with actress Suzanne began while they were both already engaged to others.

He later married Stephanie Dooley, but they divorced in 2019. Their marriage lasted nine years after Stephanie forgave him for an affair with his former partner, Suzanne.

The couple revealed in a statement released in August 2019 that they had separated in October 2018, a little more than a year after recommitting to each other in a vow renewal ceremony.

Darren and Stephanie share two children, son Dalton, 18, and daughter Madison, 19.

As of 2026, actor is engaged to actress Sophie Ladds, who he popped the question to in August 2020.

Actress Sophie shared the exciting news on Twitter, writing to DarrenDOfficial: ‘You’ve made me the happiest girl in the world. Always and forever, and I’m declaring it Sophie Day!’

Angie Bowie

Since appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Angie has largely disappeared from public view, and very little is known about what she’s doing now.

Following her divorce from David, Angie began a relationship with musician Drew Blood, and together they have a daughter named Stacia Larranna Celeste Lipka.

Following her breakup, she started a relationship with Michael Gassett, who works as an electrical engineer. They moved to Acworth, Georgia, and are reportedly still a couple.

Angie is also a mother to Duncan Jones, a 54-year-old film director known for movies like Moon (which earned him a BAFTA award), Warcraft, and Mute.

Angie and Duncan had been distant for a long time, and sadly, they never resolved their differences even after David passed away.

After learning of the musician’s death, she responded, ‘My son? No, there’s no reason I should be [affected]. My interest ended when my father removed the trust fund for Zowie from his will after my divorce from David.’

She told The Times she was simply following her father’s example when she acted. She considers the matter closed and insists it doesn’t involve her personally.

2026-01-11 13:25