Jessica Cunningham, who rose to fame on reality TV shows including The Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother, has expressed deep shock and sadness at the unexpected death of her ex-boyfriend Alistair Eccles.
The star shares three children with Alistair, whose body was discovered at his home by police on Friday. At present the death is not being treated as suspicious, with the 35-year-old having been found at his home in Burnley, Lancashire, and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The couple ran Jessica's first fashion business, Famous Frocks, together before she appeared on the twelfth series of The Apprentice in 2016. After her standout appearance with Lord Sugar, she went on to take part in Celebrity Big Brother in January of the following year.
Despite splitting from Alistair in 2016, Jessica has said that she'd remained close to her ex for the benefit of their three daughters.
Jessica during her time on Celebrity Big Brother at the beginning of this year
In a statement released to The Sun Online after his death, Jessica's spokesperson said of Alistair's passing: 'Despite their break-up, Alistair was a really good father to their children.'
'Jessica is politely asking for some privacy at this devastating time so that she can protect their three girls.'
A statement released by the police detailed: 'We were called shortly before 3am on August 11 following a report that a 35-year-old man had been taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital after he had been found at an address in Burnley.
'He was sadly pronounced deceased at hospital. His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed to the coroner.'
In addition to her reality TV career, Jessica runs her own successful fashion clothing label, ProdigalFox with her sister Emma Deeks. The line is popular with many of her fellow TV stars, including Love Island's Katie Salmon, who has worked in collaboration with the brand in the past.
