Police say the death of music producer and reality TV personality David Gest is being treated as 'unexplained'.
The 62-year-old ex-husband of Liza Minelli was found dead at the Four Seasons hotel, Canary Wharf, on Tuesday.
His friend, Imad Handi, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I can confirm that David Gest has died today. David was truly larger than life. He was not just a huge talent and a dear friend but a showbiz icon.
"I know he will be missed by millions of fans around the world, and particularly in Britain, who came to love his charm and blistering one-liners.
"If I may steal the words of one eminent critic, David was a natural star and a genuine celebrity. I will miss him desperately."
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at 10:17 on Tuesday 12 April to the Four Seasons hotel, in Westferry Circus to reports of an unexplained death of a man in his 60s.
"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 being informed."
Mr Gest became famous in the 2006 edition of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! when he placed fourth and he when on to divide his time between his home in the US and London.
He later appeared as a judge on ITV's talent show Grease Is The Word and hosted The Friday Night Project. Most recetly, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in January, but left after 13 days due to illness.
Police have said there appear to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Gest's death.
