Former Big Brother contestant Ben Duncan made a frantic phone call to a close friend expressing suicidal thoughts just days before he fell 100 feet to his death from a central London hotel rooftop. The 45-year-old, who was a university friend of the Prince of Wales, reached out to his mentor, former broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth, in a final plea for help.
A Desperate Plea and a Promise of Secrecy
Mike Hollingsworth, 79, revealed that the call came "out of the blue" ten days before the tragedy. Duncan, who was staying at a hotel in Henley, told him he was ringing to say goodbye. "He said he'd had enough," Mr Hollingsworth recounted. The friend immediately rushed to the hotel and spent four hours talking Duncan down, eventually persuading him not to harm himself.
"He had been drinking, which wasn't like him, but he made me swear not to tell anyone, including his family, what had happened," said Mr Hollingsworth, who considered Duncan "another son". He described the former reality star as a "lovely guy" with a Peter Pan-like quality, who nevertheless struggled with a fear of ageing and losing his hair.
The Tragic Fall in Central London
Despite the intervention, the situation ended in tragedy. On October 30, Duncan plunged from the rooftop bar of the five-star Trafalgar St James Hotel in Westminster. Police were called at 23:02 hours to reports of a man on the roof of the building on Cockspur Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of the London Ambulance Service.
A witness account given to Mr Hollingsworth revealed harrowing details. An Australian fire-fighter at the bar reportedly saw Duncan heading towards the parapet, grabbed him and tried to pull him back, but after a struggle, Duncan broke free and jumped. The Metropolitan Police stated the death was "unexpected but non-suspicious".
Aftermath and Coroner Contact Issues
In the wake of the death, Mr Hollingsworth was left with feelings of guilt, wondering if he should have broken his promise and alerted someone. He attempted to contact the Inner West London Coroner's office to inform them of the earlier suicidal episode, but claims he received no response via an email portal. He even visited their office in person, only to be told via an intercom that staff were working from home.
A spokesperson for the coroner's office confirmed an inquest into Mr Duncan's death will be formally opened and adjourned on a date in the New Year, with a full inquest to follow. They also invited Mr Hollingsworth to contact the coroner's officer on a different email address, as there was no record of his earlier message.
Duncan, who appeared on Big Brother 11 in 2010 alongside Josie Gibson, also featured on shows like Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Coach Trip. He was known for his friendship with Prince William and Kate Middleton from their time at the University of St Andrews, often recalling the famous fashion show where the couple's romance began.
Josie Gibson paid tribute on Instagram, calling him "one of the most unique, hilariously funny, dry-witted guys I know".
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. You can also contact CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) on 0800 58 58 58.
