As Big Brother returns to ITV tonight at 9pm for its 23rd series, with presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best back at the helm, a new group of housemates prepare to step through those famous doors. Before they do, we remember the former contestants who lit up our screens and left an enduring mark on the show's history, those who passed away far too soon.
Jade Goody
Long before the phrase "reality star" became commonplace, there was Jade Goody. She first appeared in Big Brother's third series, and from the moment she walked into the house, she was impossible to ignore. Funny, unpredictable and utterly authentic, she became one of the most beloved housemates the show has ever seen.
Her fame only grew after she left, with appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Loose Women and Eggheads helping to cement her status as a genuine household name. She returned to the Celebrity edition in 2007, five years after her debut, before heading to India in August 2008 to take part in Big Boss, the country's own adaptation of the format.
But her world soon changed forever. Jade was diagnosed with cervical cancer and was forced to withdraw from the show. She faced the illness with a courage that inspired millions, and her openness about her diagnosis is widely credited with prompting a surge in cervical cancer screening across the UK. She passed away at her home on 22 March 2009. She was just 27 years old.
Nikki Grahame
Nikki Grahame became memorable after her appearance on Big Brother's seventh series in 2006. She is best remembered for her now-legendary catchphrase "Who is she?"
After leaving the house, she headlined her own E4 series, Princess Nikki, in which she tackled a range of demanding jobs, from refuse collection to deep sea fishing and waste management roles. She was fearless on screen, but off it she fought a long and painful private battle with anorexia.
In early 2021, Nikki suffered a relapse. Her loved ones launched a public fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of her treatment, and fans rallied around her. Sadly, she passed away from anorexia-related complications on 9 April 2021, shortly after being discharged from hospital. She was only 38.
Ben Duncan and Sophia Brown
Ben Duncan was, by all accounts, someone who made every room brighter simply by being in it. A London-born socialite who had studied at the University of St Andrews alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, he brought that easy charm and warmth to the Big Brother house when he appeared in series 11. He tragically died in October 2025 after falling seven floors from the rooftop of The Trafalgar St. James hotel in London. He was just 45 years old.
Fellow former housemate Glyn Wise, who appeared in series seven, paid a heartfelt tribute on X, formerly Twitter. "While filming a Big Brother tribute to mark the end of its run on Channel 4, I met Ben and he was such a joy to be around. Rest in peace buddy xx," he wrote in part.
Some housemates need only a matter of days to leave a lasting impression. Sophia Brown entered the Big Brother house during its 10th series in 2009 and stayed for just nine days, moving viewers deeply with her openness about living with Lupus. Rather than shying away from her diagnosis, she spoke candidly about how the autoimmune condition had shaped her outlook, giving her an unshakeable positivity and zest for life that radiated through the screen. She departed the house early but never left the hearts of those who had watched her. Sophia tragically died in 2012, aged just 30.
Big Brother returns to ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm tonight (Sunday, September 13).
