Chaos and confusion as news of Bowie’s death reaches Celebrity Big Brother house

“DAVID’S dead,” Angie Bowie announced, breaking the news of her ex-husband’s death to her Celebrity Big Brother housemates.

NEWS of music legend David Bowie’s death caused scenes of chaos and confusion in the Celebrity Big Brother house after Bowie’s ex-wife Angie, a contestant on the show, broke the news to her fellow housemates.

As a visibly upset Angie emerged from the diary room, having been told of Bowie’s death, she was approached by fellow contestant Tiffany Pollard to find out what was wrong.

Angie Bowie shared news of her ex-husband’s death with her fellow housemates — but left out one vital detail.

“David’s dead,” Angie told her — and Pollard assumed she was referring to David Gest, ex-husband of Liza Minnelli and another contestant on this season of the show.

Gest was apparently sleeping in another room as the misinformation about his apparent death spread through the house, causing panic and confusion among the housemates.

Contestant Tiffany Pollard assumed the news related to David Gest, also in the CBB house.

The emotional scenes come as C5, the channel which broadcasts Celebrity Big Brother in the UK, faces investigation for choosing to broadcast Bowie’s reaction to news of her ex-husband’s death after more than a dozen viewer complaints.

The broadcaster said that Bowie had made the decision herself to stay in the CBB house after being informed off-screen about her 69-year-old ex’s death following an 18-month cancer battle.

She was later shown on screen being comforted by fellow contestants in the diary room.

“I haven’t seen him in so many years, I can’t make a big drama out of it. I just feel like an era has ended with his passing. I’m so very sad,” Bowie said through tears.

“The stardust is gone,” she added.

Bowie and her ex-husband had been estranged since their 1980 divorce after ten years of marriage, with the ex-model revealing in the Celebrity Big Brother house that they hadn’t spoken in decades.

Angie is comforted by fellow housemates — including David Gest at right, who was the subject of Chinese whispers about his own death.

Angie Bowie’s manager, Ray Santilli, has defended both her decision to stay in the Celebrity Big Brother house and the program’s handling of her loss, saying that the house has been like a “sanctuary” for her since learning of her ex-husband’s passing on Monday.

“She had plenty of time to consider her position. She made the decision to go back in the house, she made the decision to be interviewed afterwards,” he said.

“Obviously when Big Brother was talking to her and asking questions, it is emotional. The whole Big Brother experience is emotional and she knew that before she went in to the house.”

“We took her off-camera and explained the situation. She had plenty of time. She’s a very intelligent, very measured woman and it was emotional,’ Santilli said.

“She took the time to think about the ramifications. She decided that she wanted to continue, she didn’t want to be seen to be cashing in and leave the house immediately. It’s a sanctuary for her there,” he continued.

“Channel 5 have been magnificent. They’ve left it entirely up to her to make the decision. She had no pressure. She’s an intelligent woman and she knows what she’s doing.”