David Gest tributes: 'Heaven will be a brighter place'

Stars of the TV and music world were quick to pay tribute to David Gest after the news broke he had been [found dead in a London hotel room.](http://Reality TV star David Gest found dead in hotel room)

His Celebrity Big Brother co-stars led the messages to their "dear friend" with Darren Day saying "heaven will be a brighter place".

Kristina Rihanoff wrote Gest was "one of the best people I got to know in my life".

And this year's CBB winner Scotty T tweeted "can't believe your (sic) gone. What a beautiful human."

Radio star Tony Blackburn said he "couldn't believe" Gest had died at the age of 62.

And actress and TV presenter Denise Welch said she was in shock and the news "hasn't quite sunk in".

Actors Les Dennis, Jamie Lomas and reality TV star-turned TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal also tweeted their sadness at the news.

Gest's CBB housemate Tiffany Pollard, who famously mistakenly thought had died on the show, went on to design a T-shirt range afterwards with the slogan "David is dead".

She is yet to hear of the news herself, but in a series of tweets her PR company said they had now removed them from her range.

Pollard later tweeted:

Fellow Celebrity Big Brother housemate Danniella Westbrook told the Press Association: "David Gest was a beautiful soul and I will miss him dearly.

"David was like a father to me in the Celebrity Big Brother house. He told me I should be proud of who I am and I was Danniella Westbrook and that was ok.

"He gave me strength every day, he got me and I will never forget him. A shining star who will live in my heart forever."

Nancy Dell'Olio, who also appeared in the show, added: "I am very shocked. I can't believe it. I spoke to him just a few weeks ago. I felt that something was not right the last time I saw him. It's very sad news indeed, he will be sorely missed."