Celebrity Big Brother's Infamous 'David's Dead' Moment Aired Six Years Ago Today

We don't think we'll *ever* be over this scene.
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It’s now been six years since the reality TV moment so outrageous, we still question whether or not we dreamed it.

First, a bit of context.

In January 2016, the whole world was mourning the loss of David Bowie, who had died at the age of 69, following a private battle with liver cancer.

The whole world, that is, apart from a group of semi-famous people in Borehamwood, who were living in the Celebrity Big Brother house at the time, and therefore had no contact with the outside world.

Among them was the late musician’s ex-wife, Angie Bowie, who producers chose to notify about the news privately in the Diary Room.

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Angie Bowie in the Celebrity Big Brother house
Channel 5

Although Channel 5 bosses gave Angie the option of leaving via the back door, she ultimately decided to stay in the house, but was understandably rather shaken by the news.

During a quiet moment, she confided in fellow housemate Tiffany Pollard – who had picked up on the fact Angie was feeling out of sorts – about her loss.

What happened next was certainly one of the most shocking moments ever shown on Celebrity Big Brother, if not reality TV altogether. 

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This was the beginning
Channel 5

You see, fellow contestant David Gest had been feeling rather under the weather for the previous few days.

So when Angie infamously whispered “David’s dead”, Tiffany got the wrong end of the stick and, fearing the worst, had a big reaction to her housemate’s revelation.

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Darren Day offers a shoulder
Channel 5

This led to a farcical series of events almost Shakespearean in nature, with Tiffany frantically trying to explain her version of events to the rest of the house, Darren Day pulling back the bed covers to reveal David Gest alive and well, and Gemma Collins watching the whole thing with a face like thunder.

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That was our reaction too, to be honest
Channel 5

Adding to the ridiculousness, the only person who knew the full story – former EastEnders actor John Partridge – wasn’t even able to calm the situation as he was in the shower at the time.

Eventually, he was forced to come out and try to restore some class of order with one towel knotted around his waist, and another draped around his shoulders.

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It's hard to maintain authority when you're wearing a towel, but John tried his best
Channel 5

The “David’s dead” saga led to a flood of complaints to Ofcom, culminating in  CBB becoming the most complained-about show of 2016.

Both David Gest and Angie Bowie later left the house of their own accord in the days that followed.

The former sadly died three months after leaving the house in April 2016, after suffering a stroke.

Relive the chaos for yourself in the video above.