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 in 2016, viewers watched on in shock as Tiffany Pollard misheard Angie Bowie’s sad news that her ex-husband and music superstar David Bowie had died.

Tiffany misunderstood, thinking fellow housemate David Gest had passed away and collapsed in wild hysterics in one of the show’s most memorable moments.

In a panic, the housemates rushed into the bedroom to check on David, who was asleep after falling unwell.

The scenes instantly went viral, but the housemates later revealed exactly what happened inside the famous compound – including moments viewers didn’t see.  

So what else really happened that day? 

Housemate Christopher Maloney later revealed that in the heat of the situation Tiffany then ‘wanted to kill Angie’.

‘They didn’t show half of what happened afterwards,’ Chris revealed in an interview with GQ magazine. 

‘We tried to calm her [Tiffany] down, because Angie had just lost an ex-husband. I had to pull her away from her. Everyone wanted an explanation as to what had happened.’

Christopher also revealed there was another shocking incident that night – with Scotty T needing medical intervention after choking on his dinner.

John Partridge had made the house steak for dinner, but when they sat down to eat, Scotty was seen getting ‘red in the face and then purple and then blue.’

Chris explained: ‘The steak had gotten stuck in his throat and he was choking on it. John [Partridge] had to do the Heimlich manoeuvre and the steak flew out of his mouth and then the medics took him away. So he nearly died as well.’

He added: ‘Even though it was 2016, it does feel like yesterday to me. It was very intense. It was one of those experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life because it was hard, but I enjoyed it.’ 

And what became of all the housemates? 

David Gest  

Just months after his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, David Gest sadly passed away in April 2016. 

The 62-year-old producer was found dead in his hotel room at the Four Seasons in Canary Wharf, east London, on April 12, and his funeral was attended by his fellow housemates. 

Tragically, his death came just months before he was due to embark on a tour titled David Gest Is Not Dead but Alive With Soul.

The name was coined because of the iconic Celebrity Big Brother moment, with the tour poster showing Gest emerging from a coffin with ‘Born 11.5.1953. Died in the CBB House 11.1.2016’ written on it. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gest counted not only Michael Jackson but also Elizabeth Taylor among his closest friends.

And his successful appearances in Celebrity Big Brother and ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! brought him stardom in the UK.

Christopher Maloney

According to the X Factor star’s bio Chris is still working as a singer, actor and TV presenter, with his audition episode reaching 92.78 million views as of 2026. 

He has also vowed to turn his back on surgery after undergoing his ‘final’ and 25th cosmetic procedure when he got his veneers fitted back in 2023. 

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

As for his ninth hair transplant, Christopher explained: ‘I had a hair transplant because since appearing on The X Factor I had stress-induced hair loss. When my grandmother died it started to fall out pretty bad.’

He revealed that after the heartbreaking death of his father in August he began to suffer hair loss again, prompting another transplant.

Christopher previously revealed he was focusing on his mental health after confessing he has body dysmorphia so severe that he ‘feels sick’ whenever he looks in the mirror.

He explained: ‘My body dysmorphia, my anxiety and depression has taken over my life. In the past 12 months it’s gone into overdrive.

‘This is my 20th surgery in seven years and it’s a really major. I know it’s excessive but I just can’t help it. I need to stop but I can’t.’

Danniella Westbrook

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

The star was due to make her return to acting with her new role in the upcoming film Tales From The Trap. 

However the role has been recast after she was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties before Christmas amid health issues – which come after years of complications due to her collapsed septum.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, insiders revealed the star, who has not starred in a film or TV show since mid 2016, was forced to seek medical attention on Friday due to her respiratory struggles.

She has since revealed she is set to head to Dubai in January for another major surgery to fix the damage done as a result of her cocaine addiction. 

She will then have to undergo a further two or three more minor procedures, as well as a full £45,000 neck and face lift. Her rehabilitation will take another two years, her surgeon Dr Parviz Sadigh has said. 

The actress has also just launched a talent agency whose clients, she pledges, will not pay the price of fame as she herself has done for decades.

Gemma Collins

Gemma has gone on to continue to become a national icon following her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. 

She went on to compete on Dancing On Ice in 2019, after her memorable fall became one of the most iconic moments of the series. 

Now, Gemma has confirmed that she and her fiancé Rami Hawash will have a baby and get married in 2026.

The former TOWIE star, 44, who has been open about her battle with infertility, took to Instagram as she sipped her final glass of champagne ahead of becoming a mum while ringing in the New Year.

Alongside a slew of snaps, she penned: ‘The most fantastic NYE with our faves it was the final drink of champagne as I have a wedding to plan !! yes I’m getting married this year and YES I’m having a baby ‘.

Stephanie Davis and Jeremy McConnell 

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

However their toxic relationship went from bad to worse and Jeremy was convicted of assaulting Stephanie and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison at Cardiff Magistrates via a video-link.

He was given jail time after skipping his community service to get a hair and beard transplant in Turkey.

Stephanie was also hospitalised in a separate incident after Jeremy reportedly squeezed a glass into her hand during an argument.

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

Since her break up with Jeremy, Stephanie has gone on to welcome her second son with her now ex boyfriend Joe McKalroy.

The actress met Joe in 2022 and enjoyed a three year relationship during which she openly spoken about the heartache they endured after suffering a miscarriage at three months in 2022.

She described it as a ‘horrendous’ time, saying they had already planned a future as a family of four. They went on to welcoming their son Samuel last year.

However the pair split in June. She penned: ‘Never in a million years did I think I’d be writing this. I’ve been left with no choice but to address the rumours.

‘This has come as a complete shock and has been an incredibly painful and unexpected time. Just four months after having a baby-one of the most vulnerable and emotional times in a woman’s life-I’ve found myself facing this chapter on my own.

‘After everything I’ve been through in the past, I truly believed I’d finally found my happiness-something secure and lasting. But that, heartbreakingly, hasn’t been the case.

‘I’m greatful for the years we had because without us I wouldn’t have my Samuel. Who will always be my priority.

‘Right now, I’m focusing on healing. protecting my peace, and doing the best I can-being there for my two beautiful boys. Thank you to those who’ve reached out-your kindness has meant more than I can say. Stephanie X.’

Meanwhile Jeremy went on to welcome a daughter with his partner Katie McCreath in 2019 and is often seen competing in Hyrox competitions.  

Jonathan Cheban

When he entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, Jonathan Cheban was best known for his close relationship with the Kardashian family and Kim in particular.

He formed a close friendship with Gemma Collins while in the house but ultimately that wasn’t enough to keep him around for very long as he opted to quit the show on day seven, citing anxiety and a negative atmosphere in the house.

Since his stint on the reality series, Jonathan, 52, has reinvented himself as a food influencer and 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. 

He also briefly reunited with Gemma back in 2019 when he appeared on her reality series Gemma Collins: Diva Forever. 

Kristina Rihanoff

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff revealed on day three of her time in the house that she was three months pregnant with her daughter Milena, now nine.

The dancer, 48, was in a relationship with former rugby player Ben Cohen who she met when they were partnered up on Strictly.

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

The Russian beauty has kept up with her passion for dancing and is now helping Milena with her burgeoning dance career.

Milena – known as Mila – became a double national champion under 10 years old in Latin & Ballroom last year.

Megan McKenna

Megan McKenna was best known for her appearances on Ex On The Beach when she took part in Celebrity Big Brother.

The 33-year-old has had a busy career since then, joining the cast of TOWIE later that year for several series.

She then branched out into a music career, releasing her debut album the Story Of Me in 2018 and won The X Factor: Celebrity the following year. 

Megan became a mother in October 2024 when she and her then boyfriend Oliver Burke welcomed their son Landon. The couple then married in June 2025. 

Nancy Dell’Olio

Italian socialite Nancy Dell’Olio was best known for her relationship with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who she dated from 1998 to 2002.

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

Since then, Nancy, 64, has continued to make sporadic TV appearances. In January 2022 she starred on Celebrity Coach Trip where she was partnered with Chesney Hawkes.

Later that same year, she appeared on Celebrity Mastermind but was the first contestant eliminated in her heat.

She continues to be active on social media and most recently appeared on Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted last year.  

Scotty T

Scotty T was crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 17 after viewers voted him their champion on Day 32. 

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

However, he was axed from the show in March of that year following a driving ban and cocaine scandal.

The reality star, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence of a controlled drug, which was above the specified limit.

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

He became a father in October 2025 after welcoming a baby boy with a university student from Newcastle. 

The pair – who are not planning on becoming a couple – have agreed to share parental responsibilities of their son. 

Tiffany Pollard

American reality star Tiffany Pollard became one of Celebrity Big Brother’s most memorable contestants ever thanks to her ‘David’s Dead!’ viral moment where she thought her fellow housemate David Guest died while in the house. 

She reached the final and finished in fourth place, having won over many viewers with her outrageous sence of humour.

Since then, Tiffany, 44, has carried on with her reality TV career, appearing on shows like Famously Single and Worst Cooks In America.

She has also appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race and most recently hosted the show Slayers: Wheel of Fate for OUTtv. 

Tiffany made headlines in October when she revealed she identified as ‘queer’ and feels ‘so feminine and masculine at the same time’. 

John Partridge 

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

The actor, 54, has focused on his musical theatre career since then, appearing in productions of Chicago, Cabaret and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Last year, he appeared in the play The Code which explored what it was like for an actor to be gay in 1950s Hollywood.

During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, John accused Hollywood of homophobia and claimed that gay actors are still withholding their sexuality.

‘I hate to say it, there’s no other word for it. It’s homophobia. You cannot be a leading man in Hollywood if you are gay,’ he said.  

Winston McKenzie

Former boxer and ex-UKIP spokesman Winston McKenzie caused controversy during his time in the house for likening gay adoption to ‘child abuse’.

In pre-recorded footage before he entred the house, he said: ‘I don’t know how I’d cope with a homosexual in the house. I guess I’d have to be standing against a wall all the time.’ 

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

Winston, 72, has stood as an independent or minor party candidate on numerous occasions without success.

In 2017, he registed the Union In Action party and declared himself as Leader, and his partner, Marianne Bowness, as Treasurer. 

Darren Day

The actor, now 57,  finishing in third place during the iconic series, where he aimed to change his ‘love rat’ public image by showing his calmer self after past struggles with addiction.

After leaving the house, Darren, who has previously had numerous engagements including to Hollywood stars Isla Fisher and Anna Friel, before settling down with Hear’Say’s Suzanne Shaw, 13 years his junior, went on to release an album of his favourite musical theatre songs.

Darren later joined the tour of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, as well as had a stint in Hollyoaks, and became a regular in pantomime.

In 2017, the actor toured in Grease in the role of Teen Angel, a revival of the show in which he had previously played Danny Zuko. 

More recently, in 2021 and currently in 2025, Darry is busy touring the UK and Ireland in Chicago: The Musical playing the role of lawyer Billy Flynn.

Darren’s love life has always been the center of attention though after he famously embarked on the romance with actress Suzanne while they were both engaged to other people. 

He later married Stephanie Dooley, who he eventually divorced in 2019, nine years after she took him back when he was caught philandering with ex Suzanne.

In a statement published in August 2019, the couple announced they had separated in October 2018, just over a year after renewing their vows. 

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.

Announcing the news on her own Twitter platform, actress Sophie added: ‘DarrenDOfficial you have made me the happiest girl in the world. Always…forever…and a Sophie Day.’ 

Angie Bowie

Little is known about Angie’s whereabouts now, with the model retreating from the spotlight after her CBB stint.

After divorcing David, Angie had a relationship with musician Drew Blood and the pair share daughter, Stacia Larranna Celeste Lipka. 

After the pair split she began dating electrical engineer Michael Gassett and the couple moved to Acworth, Georgia. It is believed they are still together. 

Angie also shared son, Duncan Jones, now 54, who works as a film director with works including Moon, for which he won a BAFTA, Warcraft and Mute. 

However, Angie and Duncan have long been estranged, and even after David’s death the pair didn’t reconcile. 

She said after the musician died: ‘My son? No, why should I be? I’m not interested. It stopped when my father changed his will to not include an educational trust fund for Zowie because David divorced me. 

‘When my father did that I followed precedent. It’s over. Nothing. Nothing to do with me,’ she told The Times.