David Gest pictured smiling at charity event just days before death
DAVID GEST was pictured smiling at a charity event just days before he was found dead in a London hotel room.
David Gest was pictured at a charity event just days before his death
The 62-year-old's friend Imad Handi confirmed that the American star had sadly passed away earlier today, with him releasing a statement online.
One of the last - if not the last - photographs of David was posted online on April 6, showing him posing with some fans at a party, which was held to raise awareness of testicular cancer in memory of Australian soccer player Dylan Tombides.
The charity Twitter profile shared the snap, which David then re-tweeted.
The image was captioned: "#Thanks for the support @DavidGest2016 #DT38."
David was found dead in a London hotel room
#Thanks for the support @DavidGest2016 #DT38 pic.twitter.com/mIW68BUIPH
— DT38 Foundation (@Dylantombides) 6 April 2016
A statement released by Imad this afternoon read: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm that David Gest has died today.
"David was truly larger than life. He was not just a huge talent and a dear friend but a showbiz icon.
"I know he will be missed by millions of fans around the world, and particularly in Britain, who came to love his charm and blistering one-liners.
"If I may steal the words of one eminent critic, David was a natural star and a genuine celebrity. I will miss him desperately."
David with ex-wife Liza Minnelli
David starred on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2006
David was married to singer and actress Liza Minnelli from 2002-2003, but they only officially divorced in 2007.
The Celebrity Big Brother contestant was also known for being a close friend of the late Michael Jackson.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said today: "Police were called at 10.17 on Tuesday 12 April to the Four Seasons hotel, in Westferry Circus, E14, to reports of an unexplained death of a man in his 60s. London Ambulance Service were called to the scene. Life was pronounced extinct at the hotel.
"A post-mortem will be held in due course. Next of kin are in the process of being informed."