Big Brother is often considered to be the most iconic reality TV show of all time. It takes its name from the character in George Orwell’s 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four and has a simple premise: it follows a group of strangers living in a house fitted with cameras and microphones recording their every move for 24 hours a day.
Thanks to its simple format and wildly entertaining housemates over the years, the show has become a staple part of British culture, even launching the careers of many showbiz legends, including Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson, Nikki Grahame, and Jade Goody. The show has now made its comeback and is set to return to our screens on October 8.
However, due to the show running for so long, it means that some of the former contestants are sadly no longer with us.
Here, we take a look at – and remember – some of Big Brother’s tragic stars…
Jade Goody
Jade became a household name after appearing on the show in 2002
(Image: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Jade Goody is a Big Brother legend. First appearing way back in 2002, she gained huge popularity thanks to her larger than life personality, which resulted in her becoming a finalist.
Following her success on the show, she re entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2007, and also took part in the Indian version in 2008.
It was this stint on the reality show where she learned of her terminal cervical cancer diagnosis. The cancer ultimately led to her death in 2009 at just 27 years old.
Thanks to Jade’s relentless campaigning to encourage women to attend cervical screenings, she left a huge legacy which has saved countless lives.
Jade had two sons with TV star Jeff Brazier, Bobby and Freddy
(Image: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
Jade left behind two children whom she shared with TV personality Jeff Brazier: Bobby, 20, and Freddy, 19, the former of whom plays Freddie Slater in EastEnders and is currently competing in this season of Strictly Come Dancing.
Nikki Grahame
Nikki Grahame’s “Who is she?” line catapulted her to icon status back in 2006
(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Nikki Grahame’s famous “Who is she?” line while ranting in the Diary Room made her a household name – not to mention a Gen Z icon years later.
Nikki competed during season seven of the show in 2006, and ended up finishing in fifth place.
Her newfound fame allowed her to launch a career as a model and an author, as well as later returning to the Ultimate Big Brother version of the show in 2010.
She also starred in her own reality series, Princess Nikki, which saw her attempt several jobs while being challenged to keep them for more than a day.
Alongside this, Nikki won the National Television Award for ‘Most Popular TV contender.’
Tragically, Nikki had battled an eating disorder as a child, which returned during lockdown and claimed her life in April 2021. She had previously authored two books, Dying to Be Thin and Fragile, which documented her experience with anorexia.
Sarah Harding
Sarah Harding was just 39 when she passed away due to breast cancer
(Image: FilmMagic)
Sarah Harding competed in – and won – the 12th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2017.
However, she first shot to fame in 2002 after auditioning for the reality television show, Popstars: The Rivals.
During the show, Sarah was selected to join the new girl group, Girls Aloud, alongside Nadine Coyle, Cheryl (then Tweedy), Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh.
The girls went on to achieve huge success, including winning the 2009 Best Single Brit Award for ‘The Promise.’
Sarah also embarked on a solo career which encompassed music, modelling and acting – her most notable role being in St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold.
Sarah shot to fame in the early 2000s as part of girl group, Girls Aloud
(Image: Getty Images)
However, in 2020, the star announced she had been diagnosed with breast cancer that had advanced to further parts of her body. In March 2021, she revealed her diagnosis was terminal.
Before her death, Sarah published her memoir, Hear Me Out, which documented her life and career, plus her cancer diagnosis.
The 39 year old tragically passed away in September 2021, which led to an outpouring of condolences, including from her former Girls Aloud bandmates.
David Gest
David took part in the Celebrity version of Big Brother back in 2016, but sadly died the same year
(Image: Getty)
David Gest appeared in season 17 of Celebrity Big Brother in 2016. He was most known for his career as a producer and TV personality, and also being married to Liza Minnelli.
In the UK, he appeared on the reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2006, too.
Unfortunately, David didn’t remain in the Big Brother house for long, having to leave on day 13 due to a medical emergency. Many viewers will remember the misunderstanding between Angie Bowie and Tiffany Pollard after David left, when the former announced that ‘David’ had died.
It was eventually revealed that it was Angie’s ex husband, David Bowie who had sadly passed away while they were in the Big Brother House.
However, tragically, David was found dead later that year in the Four Seasons Hotel in London. It was reported that he had died from a stroke.
Dustin Diamond
Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond competed in Celebrity Big Brother the same year as Sarah Harding
(Image: GETTY IMAGES)
Dustin was most known for playing Samuel “Screech” Powers in the US sitcom, Saved by the Bell.
In 2013, he headed to the UK to compete in the 12th season of Celebrity Big Brother – the same series as Sarah Harding.
Unfortunately, Dustin didn’t last that long in the Big Brother House (specifically 16 days), where he became the fourth evicted housemate.
Sadly, four years later, the actor was diagnosed with extensive stage four lung cancer. He completed one round of chemotherapy to try and fight the disease, but he eventually succumbed to the illness in February 2021. He was just 44.
The new series of Big Brother is set to begin on 8 October 2023, with the launch show airing on both ITV1 and ITV2 simultaneously.
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