Heartbreaking details have been released after it was announced that Prince William's close friend and reality star Ben Duncan tragically passed away at the age of 45.
Duncan, who rose to fame as a contestant on Season 11 of Big Brother, fell approximately 100 feet from the rooftop bar of the five-star Trafalgar St. James Hotel in Westminster on Thursday (October 30) night.
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to the scene on Cockspur Street at 11:02PM following reports of “a man on the roof".
A spokesperson confirmed: “The man sadly fell from height. Despite the best efforts from the London Ambulance Service, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His death is unexpected but non-suspicious," The Sun reported.
A Wave of Tributes From Friends And Celebrities
Following news of his sudden death, tributes flooded in from friends and former colleagues.
Josie Gibson, who won Big Brother the year Duncan competed, called him “one of the most unique, hilariously funny, dry-witted guys I know,” adding: “My heart goes out to Ben and his family. I love you Ben."
TV presenter Lizzie Cundy wrote on X: “So shocked and heartbroken to hear my friend Ben Duncan has passed away. A beautiful soul with a large fun character. We laughed so much about the silly things in life. God bless you dear Ben. You are a one off.”
Broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth said: “He lived life as Peter Pan - the boy who never grew up. He will be sorely missed by his many, many friends, who grew to love his charm, his wit, his infectious laugh and his innate sense of style."
A source close to Duncan told The Mail: “Although he appeared on reality TV shows, Ben’s true passions were politics and music. In recent years, he had become more reclusive - and had struggled with insomnia. It’s truly devastating that he's gone so soon.”
From Royal Circles To Reality TV
Duncan had been part of the inner circle of Prince William and Princess Catherine during their university years at St Andrews, where the royal couple famously met and began dating.
He was present at the iconic moment when the 43-year-old royal walked the catwalk in a sheer dress that reportedly caught her soon-to-be husband's eye.
“It was the end of their first year. I was there, and in person there were a lot of attractive girls,” Duncan said. “She was in a very daring dress, in a sheer stocking-like dress. He was sitting front row and his eyes were like stalks."
"She brushed by him on the way to the catwalk and things were never the same again - the whole history of the monarchy had been altered," he added.
Recalling their university days, he once shared: “Because we'd had Will and Kate in our midst we had royal protection officers swarming the place. We knew that they had hit it off and we knew that something was happening, but they were just left alone to get on with it.”
Duncan remained a familiar face in royal commentary, even appearing in broadcasts during the royal wedding in 2011.
A Complicated Public Figure
Beyond his connections to the royals, Duncan carved out a name for himself on British television.
He became known for his dry wit and upper-class persona on Big Brother, where he often clashed with fellow contestants but became a fan favourite for his sharp humour.
“I’ve been brought up to be quite sarcastic, and that can come across as b****y. If they hurt people’s feelings then I regret that,” he said in a post-show interview with Digital Spy.
Speaking about his decision to enter the house, Duncan admitted he didn’t tell friends or family he had applied. He joked that his one luxury item would be “a competent hairdresser and stylist".
He also featured on Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Coach Trip, and Ladette to Lady, and presented More Than A Mistress.