âItâs utterly heartbreakingâŚâ: Big Brother star, 45, dies after âfalling 100ft from London rooftop barâ â tragedy strikes the former reality favourite who once studied alongside Prince William⌠as devastated friends pay tribute to the much-loved star
A BIG Brother star who went to university with Prince William has tragically died aged 45 after falling â100ft from the rooftopâ of a London hotel.
Ben Duncan â who appeared as a contestant in Season 11 of the popular reality TV show â sadly passed away on Thursday.
Credit: Alamy
The star died after falling seven floors from the rooftop bar of the Trafalgar St. James hotel, cops said.
Cops were called to the luxury five star hotel after receiving reports of a âman on the roofâ.
A Met Police spokesperson said: âOfficers responded to concerns for a man on the roof of a building in Cockspur Street, Westminster at 23:02 hours on Thursday, 30 October.
âThe man sadly fell from height. Despite the best efforts from the London Ambulance service, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
âHis death is unexpected but non-suspiciousâ.
After leaving the Big Brother house, Ben â who was reportedly pals with Prince William â went on to star in other popular reality shows.
He was at St Andrews university with William and Kate when they first started dating
He is said to have been present for the renowned moment Kate dazzled in a university fashion show, capturing the Prince of
Walesâ attention.
Ben previously said: âIt was the end of their first year. I was there, and in person there were a lot of attractive girls.
âShe was in a very daring dress, in a sheer stocking-like dress. He was sitting front row and his eyes were like stalks.
âShe brushed by him on the way to the catwalk and things were never the same again â the whole history of the monarchy had been altered.â
In November 2010 Ben recounted being at university with the budding royal couple, remembering royal protection officers being present during his time at university.
He appeared on Australiaâs Ladette to Lady, as well as Channel 4âs Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Coach Trip.
Ben was also interviewed during the broadcast of Prince William and Princess Kateâs wedding in 2011, where he gave his opinions on the event.
He became popular on the show after admitting he would do whatever it took to avoid doing a nine to five job.
Speaking on entering the famous house, Ben claimed he did not know a huge amount about the show.
He joked he had not told his family or friends about applying for fear of being judged.
And when asked if he could take one luxury item into the house, he quipped it would be a competent hairdresser and stylist.
But he did not always see eye-to-eye with his fellow contestants, and he received at least one nomination against him every week in the house.
Speaking to Digital Spy about his stint on the show, he said: âI did make comments, but we are under pressure and you do become snappy.
âThe Marios and John Jameses have tantrums and explode. Iâm pretty laidback and not like that, but I have a very sarcastic sense of humour.
âIâve been brought up to be quite sarcastic and that can come across as b****y. If they hurt peopleâs feelings then I regret that.â
Ben was joined by ITV star Josie Gibson, who eventually went on to win the show.
She became the biggest breakout star from the season, with her warm presenting skills cementing her as a favourite on This Morning.
Her romance with John James Parton may have fizzled out, but the couple followed up with their own spin-off show, Thereâs Something About Josie.
More to followâŚÂ For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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