All the Big Brother UK stars who have sadly died as show returns for 25th anniversary

Tonight, the Big Brother house will open its doors to a new bunch of single housemates, 25 years after the series first aired on Channel 4. Will Best and AJ Odudu will be back to host the ITV revival of the show for the third year running.

In those 25 years, the show has produced 22 civilian series across Channel 4, 5 and ITV, and introduced us to hundreds of housemates, many of which have gone on to become TV icons.

Tragically, a number of famous faces have passed away since entering the Big Brother house, including Jade Goody and Nikki Grahame.

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Jade Goody

Jade Goody rose to fame on the 2002 series of Big Brother UK, and became so popular that she re entered the house for the 2007 Celebrity series.

The series went on to be one of the most talked about in history when herself, Danielle Lloyd and O'Meara accused of racially bullying co star Shilpa Shetty, which sparked public outrage.

A year later, she took part in the Indian series of the show, Big Boss, although had to leave early, as she was informed she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Tragically, she died at home a year later, at 27-years-old. Her experience led to a surge in women attending cervical screenings, known as the "Jade Goody effect," significantly increasing public awareness of cervical cancer and the importance of the HPV vaccine.

Nikki Grahame

Known as one of the most iconic housemates to ever enter the Big Brother doors, Nikki Grahame left her legacy in the Diary Room when she entered the house in 2006.

As well as creating iconic lines such as, "Who is she?!" and her rant about the aircon, Nikki also struck up a romance while in the house, with fellow housemate Pete Bennett. Although the pair went their separate ways after leaving the house, it seems the 2006 series was the luckiest for love, with their housemates Grace and Mikey still going strong today.

Although Nikki entertained millions, she sadly struggled with anorexia, relapsing during Covid, when the gyms closed. In March 2021, her family set up a fundraiser pleading for donations to get professional help, as the star was hospitalised.

Sadly, shepassed away in April 2021, just days after being sent home from hospital, at the age of 38.

Sophia Brown

Sophia Brown entered the Big Brother house in 2009, during the tenth series. However, she was evicted in the first week.

Tragically, she passed away three years later at just 30 years old.

At seven years old, she was diagnosed with auto immune disease lupus - as she previously stated doctors didn't think she'd survive when she was younger.

"Due to the delay in my diagnosis, I had become too unwell for King’s College Hospital so they arranged for me to urgently be transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital – a transfer they didn’t think I’d stay alive for as my blood pressure had risen to around 280/210, they later revealed," she wrote.

After her passing Big Brother host at the time Davina McCall led tributes, as she penned: "That's really sad. My thoughts r with her family."

Paul Brennan - Teen Big Brother

Many may not remember that Big Brother released Teen Big Brother: The Experiment back in 2003 on E4 and Channel 4.

Featuring eight 18-year-olds, it was broadcast for one week and was pre-recorded over the course of ten days.

Paul was voted the winner of the show, and won a trip around the world.

The former housemate suddenly passed away in May 2022, leaving behind his mother Bernie, sister Michelle, brother Barry, grandfather James, and extended family.

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