Dave M Benett/Getty ImagesScores of celebs gathered at the Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum in London Friday to say their final goodbyes to David Gest at his funeral.
The American producer, concert promoter, star of British reality TV and ex-husband of singer and Broadway star Liza Minnelli was found dead at age 62 at a hotel in a southeastern business district of the city on April 12. No cause was given.
Actresses Danniella Westbrook, 42, Gemma Collins, 35, Stephanie Davis, 23, TV and theater star Darren Day, 47, pro dancer Kristina Rihanoff, 38, singer Christopher Maloney, 37, and Irish model Jeremy McConnell, 26, who all competed with Gest on Celebrity Big Brother this year, and musician Matt Willis, 32, who starred with him on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2006, attended Gest's funeral.
Other famous attendees included former Girls Aloud singer and actress Sarah Harding, 34, TV host Kerry Katona, 35, and British TV stars Denise Welch, 57, Jimmi Harkishin, 51, Kym Marsh, 39, and Cleo Rocos, 53.
Minnelli did not attend the funeral and was not mentioned throughout the service, according to the U.K. newspaper The Mirror.
About 100 people filled the venue and it was standing room only, the newspaper said. A red, white and black floral display bearing an image of a musical note and the words "Unforgettable, That's What You Are," from the classic song Nat King Cole made famous in 1951, adorned Gest's casket. It was transported upon a black hearse topped with white lilies and roses and seven pallbearers then brought it inside the venue, The Mirror reported, adding that a seven-piece gospel choir sang a song titled "Here Comes The Gesty" as it arrived.
During the service, the choir also sung "Oh Happy Day" and Frank Sinatra's "My Way," while Day performed "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables, The Mirror said.
Gest is survived by his mother, Ellie, and a sister, Barbara Gerber, who had penned a tribute to her brother at the funeral that Marsh and Rocos read aloud, the newspaper reported.
Gest had left the Celebrity Big Brother house in January after 13 days, for unknown medical reasons. Several of Gest's former co-stars posted messages about him on social media.
"Saying 'farewell' to our dear pal David Gest today x," Day tweeted.
Rihanoff posted on her Instagram page a photo of her and Gest, saying, "RIP our lovely David. It's so sad to say good bye to you. You will be greatly missed."
In addition to his reality TV career, Gest is also known for producing the specials Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration and Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon in 2011. He grew up in Encino in the Los Angeles area, where Michael Jackson and his family also resided, and was friends with the them. At Gest'sfuneral, a video showing him talking about his life and friendship with the King of Pop was screened, The Mirror reported.
Gest moved to England several years ago. He told The Telegraph in 2009 he did not care if he ever returned to the United States and that is "allegiance now is to the Queen." He had left an "empty mansion" in Memphis and had recently bought an apartment in St. John's Wood, a wealthy area of London popular with American expats.
"I have reinvented myself as the King of Camden," he said, referring to a northern London borough frequented by many musicians and other artists.
"I hang out with Pete Doherty and Liam Gallagher, and I live in a two-bedroom flat, and I'm happier than I ever was," he added. "Oh, and I'm hanging out with people who've never even heard of Liza Minnelli."
Gest was set to travel across the U.K. this summer to perform a new musical show called David Gest Is Not Dead But Alive With Soul, a title referring to a misunderstanding in the Celebrity Big Brother house and the tour will go ahead without him in his honor. BBC News reported guest performers will include Dina Carroll, Melba Moore, Russell Thompkins Jr. and Peabo Bryson.