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AP/Press Association Images

David Gest (62) has died at a London hotel

He had been married to Liza Minnelli from 2002 – 2007.

CELEBRITY DAVID GEST has died, reports from the UK say.

Sky News says that the reality star and music producer, who was once married to Liza Minnelli, has died at the age of 62.

The news was released by a friend of Gest’s, Imad Hamdi, in a statement, the Sun said.

It is believed Gest was found dead at a hotel in London. No cause of death has yet been released.

Gest was due to take part in a tour this July with a number of soul singers – including Dina Carroll and Freda Payne – called the David Gest is not Dead but Alive with Soul Tour.

It was named after a recent Celebrity Big Brother gaffe where a housemate thought that Gest, a fellow housemate, had died. It was in fact David Bowie’s death that had been announced to the housemates.

Gest eventually left the CBB house early due to illness.

Gest was born in California and grew up friendly with the Jackson family. He went on to become a producer, and among his work was the final reunion of Michael Jackson and the Jacksons in 2001.

He became well-known after his marriage to Liza Minnelli in 2002. Though they split up just over a year later, the couple didn’t divorce until 2007.

The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed that Gest has died, but did say they were called to the Four Seasons hotel in Westferry Circus this morning to reports of an unexplained death of a man in his 60s.

This is being treated as non-suspicious at this stage. 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 informed.

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43 Comments
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    Mute J. Dunn
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    Jul 10th 2013, 11:33 AM

    Why would you pay to settle the civil suit if you’re innocent of the claims against you?

    117
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    Mute Adam Power
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    Jul 10th 2013, 11:37 AM

    To end a long, destructive legal battle that was front page news.

    72
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    Mute J. Dunn
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    Jul 10th 2013, 11:44 AM

    I guess it’s a matter of principle.

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    Mute Emily Elephant
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:02 PM

    People (and insurance companies) pay to settle when they haven’t done anything wrong all the time. Sometimes for a nominal amount – the “nuisance value”. Sometimes for more, if there are good reasons to keep it out of the public eye. And there’s always a risk of a deranged judge ruling against you. Or you might settle because you’re in the wrong, even if you’re not quite as far in the wrong as the other person alleges.

    DSK’s case is very odd, though. The story was already common knowledge. He denies doing anything wrong whatsoever, and he says he wants to clear his name. He’s very rich and could well afford to say, “This is a battle worth fighting.” He could keep going until he’s vindicated in court, or the plaintiff simply drops the case.

    But DSK does not do this. Instead, he hands over the dosh and gives interviews to glossy magazines. You can’t really blame people for drawing their own conclusions.

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    Mute HARRY MARKOPOLOS
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:18 PM

    Good old DSK.
    Head of The International Monetary Fund and at the time Future President Of France.
    Tries to force himself on a chamber maid and then pays her off?
    Orgies and Prostitutes?
    This shows the caliber of people that they allow run the IMF and a country these days.

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    Mute HARRY MARKOPOLOS
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:45 PM

    My apologies for telling the truth.

    25
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    Mute Chuck Farrelly
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    Jul 10th 2013, 2:21 PM

    Sure why bother with a criminal justice system when we have you to tell us all the truth?

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    Mute John Campbell
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    Jul 10th 2013, 2:39 PM

    Harry, the truth will always out!

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    Mute HARRY MARKOPOLOS
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    Jul 10th 2013, 6:39 PM

    More like criminal’s justice system these days Chuck.

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    Mute Colonel Randy H.Orny
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:23 PM

    Don’t be so naive…I’m sure he never even touched that maid…it’s all dirty politics. Think about it..the head of IMF, he has a plans to run for president and because he had nothing better to do he assaults some maid..c’mon get a grip.. It was a set up of the highest order.

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    Mute William Bayle
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    Jul 10th 2013, 2:04 PM

    How do you explain his semen ending up on her dress ???
    There is absolutely no doubt there was sexual encounter between them the only question is was it consensual ?
    What about the French journalist allegations of attempted rape ?
    Or his involvement in a prostitutuon ring on France and America ?
    Dsk is almost the French berlusconi !

    30
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    Mute James Gorman
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    Jul 10th 2013, 5:47 PM

    I think you will find he did admit to ‘contact’. The dispute was whether it was consensual. Either way he could hardly be described as a classy guy and thats before we look at his previous indiscretions.

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    Mute Sean Bambi Keeling
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:06 PM

    You shouldn’t be able to name someone in a court case until they are proven guilty. The same protection should be given to the defendants identity that is given to the plaintiffs . Career at imf and potential french presidency ruined. Policy of name and shame should be also brought in.

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    Mute Niall Sheridan
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:28 PM

    If you kept it in your trousers you wouldn’t have had a problem. You were too mean to pay for it, so you victimised a poor hotel maid instead. You tried to run! You tried to escape abusing diplomatic immunity which was withdrawn from you. You were treated exactly like anyone else who is arrested on the US. You wanted special treatment. After all you were
    you! You deserved special treatment. If you sorted your huge ego and delusions of entitlement life would be easier for you. Divorce settlement sorted with the former Mrs. SK?

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    Mute Paul O'Donnell
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    Jul 10th 2013, 11:59 AM

    The burden of proof is a lot lower in a civil case, so there’s a good chance he’d have lost it even if he was innocent.

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    Mute Maurice Dodd
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    Jul 10th 2013, 1:14 PM

    Did i miss the trial for bin laden?

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    Mute Little Jim
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    Jul 10th 2013, 11:46 AM

    Or to get off the hook.

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    Mute Jim Flavin
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    Jul 10th 2013, 12:57 PM

    “The problem is that it’s a moment where in all European, American society you are supposed to be innocent, you are supposed to be innocent until you are convicted,” ”
    Maybe he should have a word with Obama re Guantanomo – or does he know of its existence

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    Mute Inga Mažonaitė
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    Jul 10th 2013, 1:40 PM

    I think he was guilty, but the room maid was too poore to prove it. It is not a secret, that money rules,

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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Jul 10th 2013, 2:09 PM

    @Inga. The woman’s story was unable to stand basic scrutiny. I have no doubt DSK is a womaniser, possibly a deviant, but rich or poor, her story was partially fabricated.

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    Mute Goebong
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    Jul 10th 2013, 3:59 PM

    Ha ha of course he is guilty why the hell would he pay her off with nearly a million pound sterling

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    Mute William Cassidy
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    Jul 10th 2013, 9:15 PM

    The guy got off way to easy. Money talks….

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    Mute Maria Dardis
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    Jul 10th 2013, 8:47 PM

    Hmmmm. Looking very innocent alright!!

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