Is Celeb Big Brother cursed? Fans convinced as tragic Coolio joins list of ‘controversial’ ex-housemates who died young
RAPPER Coolio became the latest Celebrity Big Brother star to die in tragic circumstances last week.
He was in the 2009 series of CBB - with Verne Troyer, who also died in 2018 - and in Ultimate Big Brother the following year.
And his death, from a suspected cardiac arrest at the age of 59, has led fans to question whether the show is cursed.
One user took to Facebook, writing: “Verne, Coolio, Pete Burns and David Gest, show must have been cursed. Rest in Peace.”
We reveal the other former CBB stars who’ve died young…
Verne Troyer
When he went into the CBB house in 2009, Verne was most well-known for playing Mini-Me in the Austin Powers series.
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The actor, who had achondroplasia dwarfism, died on April 21, 2018, at the age of 49, from suicide by alcohol intoxication.
His family issued a statement that said: "Depression and Suicide are very serious issues.
"You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another.
"And always know, it’s never too late to reach out to someone for help."
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Jade Goody
Jade Goody was just 27 years old when she died from cervical cancer on March 22, 2009.
Big Brother was a huge part of her life as she shot to fame in the third series of the civilian one - in which she came fourth.
Then, in 2007, she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house with her mum, but was later evicted after a racism row against Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
She even found out she had cancer when she was in the Indian version of the show, Bigg Boss.
Sarah Harding
Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding died from breast cancer last year, at the age of 39.
She won Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, despite having a tumultuous time in the house.
She got into a relationship with The Bachelor star Chad Johnson while she was there, and had some big rows with Ex On The Beach’s Jemma Lucy.
In her autobiography Hear Me Out, Sarah said: “Celebrity Big Brother was, for me, a disaster waiting to happen.
"When I try to think back about the reasons I agreed to do the show, I guess I thought it could be a good platform for me to get back in the public eye in a positive way.
"Yes, I knew there were going to be a few tricky characters in the house with me – there always were on the show – but I felt I had something to prove, not just to other people but myself but to myself, too."
Dustin Diamond
Dustin Diamond was most famous for playing Screech on 90s TV show Saved By The Bell when he entered the CBB house in 2013.
He sadly died at the age of 44 on February 4, 2021.
It was just a few hours after he announced he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
And his last post on Instagram was a heart-breaking selfie from his hospital bed.
Pete Burns
Dead or Alive singer Pete Burns died at the age of 57 in 2016, after suffering a “massive cardiac arrest”.
A statement read: “It is with the greatest sadness that we have to break the tragic news that our beloved Pete Burns of (Dead or Alive), died suddenly yesterday of a massive cardiac arrest.
“All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star.
“He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul, and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories the has left is with.
“We have no more words, we will make a further statement when we have had a chance to come to terms with our devastating loss.
“He will live forever in our memories.”
Pete was in the 2006 series of CBB and came in fifth place.
Heavy D
Heavy D - whose real name was Colin Newell - shot to fame on Storage Hunters, and became known for his catchphrase, “Boom!”
In August 2016, he took part in the 18th series of CBB and got into a few rows, including with Katie Waissel.
He sadly died on November 25, 2020, due to a heart attack, at the age of 47.
At the time, a friend told The Sun that Heavy had found love with a new partner following his split from fiancée Bryony Harris not long before his death.
The pal said: "He texted me a few weeks back, saying he was dating someone new and planning to cover up a tattoo tribute to Bryony.
"He was looking to the future."
David Gest
David Gest was in the 2016 series of CBB, and at the centre of one of the most awkward moments in the show’s history - when Angela Bowie was told of her ex-husband David Bowie’s death.
She then went and told Tiffany Pollard, “David’s dead,” which led to the reality star thinking she was talking about David Gest.
While David Gest was asleep in the bedroom, Tiffany caused a huge scene, and all the housemates began panicking that he was dead, before Angie cleared everything up.
Strangely, David did actually sadly die just a few months later after from a stroke, at the age of 62.
Keith Chegwin
Keith Chegwin came fourth in the 15th series of CBB.
But the telly star died on December 11, 2017, at the age of 60, from a “long-term battle with a progressive lung condition”.
In a statement Keith’s family said: “We are heartbroken to share the news that Keith Chegwin sadly passed away following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which rapidly worsened towards the end of this year.
“Keith died peacefully at home shortly after midnight on the 11th of December. His wife Maria, his daughter Rose and his son Ted were by his side.
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“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Severn Hospice for the kindness, support and care they have shown us all over the last few weeks.
“Keith was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private.”