Celebrity Big Brother 2016: Jonathan Cheban reveals he quit because David Bowie's death was 'becoming a joke'
'I didn't want to be part of the joke to such a legend like David Bowie - so I thought it was a right time to leave'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jonathan Cheban has revealed that he quit Celebrity Big Brother after feeling that David Bowie’s death had become “a little bit of a joke” inside the house.
Kim Kardashian’s entrepreneur best friend left unexpectedly on Monday after Angie Bowie was told that her music icon ex-husband had died of cancer aged 69.
US reality star Tiffany Pollard began hysterically crying and shouting thinking that fellow housemate David Gest, who was ill in bed, had died. Much confusion ensued and it all became too much for Jonathan.
“It affected me mentally. The house went from being fun to turning into a negative energy, and the whole David Bowie thing was too intense for me,“ he told reporters. ”I knew that would be such a big public situation and I think it turned into a little bit of a joke.
“I have another life outside of the house and I didn't want to be part of the joke to such a legend like David Bowie - so I thought it was a right time to leave and disappear.”
Despite finding the situation crass, Jonathan defended Channel 5’s decision to air Angie’s Diary Room reaction.
Representatives for the show had earlier clarified that she had been told off-camera by her agent first.
“It's a TV show, it happened live - it's a national situation that happened and Big Brother is a television show,” he said.
“They handled it fine, as fine as it could be. Angie is in the house and she had to be told and it was probably something on every news channel while we were inside.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Jonathan also admitted to having no sympathy for Angie, who was married to the “Starman” singer for ten years but has not spoken to him in four decades.
“My reaction as a fan of David Bowie is more important than Angie’s. She has nothing to do with him anymore,” he said. “The world has been affected by this news and so have I but Angie has nothing to do with him. She hasn’t spoken to him in…I don’t even know how long.
“I know they had a child together but she doesn’t speak to that child. She told us that a thousand times.”
Celebrity Big Brother continues at 9pm tonight on Channel 5.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments