Key Points
- Ben Duncan, Big Brother series 11 star and friend of Prince William, died after a 100-foot fall from a rooftop in West London.
- Duncan fell from the rooftop bar of the Trafalgar St James Hotel on 30 October at age 45.
- Metropolitan Police described the incident as unexpected but non-suspicious.
- London Ambulance Service responded with extensive resources but Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene.
- He was known for reality TV appearances and was part of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s close circle from their university days.
- Friends including broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth and others paid tribute, highlighting Duncan’s charm, wit, and passion for politics and music.
- Duncan had struggled with insomnia and had become more reclusive in recent years.
- In 2010, Duncan spoke about his friendship with William and Kate, noting early signs of their relationship.
What Happened to Ben Duncan?
As reported by the Mirror, Ben Duncan, a reality television personality best known from Big Brother series 11, tragically died after falling approximately 100 feet from the rooftop of the Trafalgar St James Hotel in West London on the evening of 30 October. The incident occurred shortly before 11:02 pm after reports surfaced of a man on the roof of the seven-story building in Cockspur Street, Westminster.
The Metropolitan Police were dispatched to the scene after receiving calls about Duncan’s presence on the roof but he is believed to have already fallen by the time officers arrived. A police spokesperson stated:
“Officers responded to concerns for a man on the roof of a building in Cockspur Street, Westminster at 23:02 hours on Thursday, 30 October. The man sadly fell from height. Despite the best efforts from the London Ambulance Service, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His death is unexpected but non-suspicious.”
How Did Emergency Services Respond?
According to a London Ambulance Service spokesperson as cited by the Mirror, emergency crews were called at 10:59 pm and responded immediately with multiple units. The response included an ambulance crew, an incident response officer, paramedics in fast response vehicles, hazardous area response team members, and a trauma team dispatched from London’s Air Ambulance.
The spokesperson said:
“We were called at 10:59pm on Thursday 30 October to reports of an incident on Spring Gardens, City of Westminster. Very sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Who Was Ben Duncan?
Ben Duncan was most widely recognised as a housemate on the eleventh series of Big Brother, where he lasted until day 52 before being evicted. Josie Gibson eventually won that season. Beyond Big Brother, Duncan appeared on other reality shows including Come Dine With Me, Ladette to Lady, and Celebrity Coach Trip.
Duncan’s connections extended into notable social and political circles. The Mirror and Daily Mail both confirmed that Duncan was a university friend of Prince William and Kate Middleton during their time at St Andrews, often considered part of their “inner circle.” He was also friends with Lord Peter Mandelson, Michael Portillo, and designer Nicky Haslam.
What Did Friends Say About Him?
Broadcaster Mike Hollingsworth posted a tribute on Facebook:
“My dear, dear friend Benjamin (Ben) Duncan has left us. He lived life as Peter Pan – the boy who never grew up. He will be sorely missed by his many, many friends, who grew to love his charm, his wit, his infectious laugh and his innate sense of style. The world is a poorer place for his passing. RIP Benji.”
An anonymous friend spoke to the Daily Mail, describing Duncan as “the life and soul of the party” with passions for politics and music. They revealed Duncan had become more reclusive in recent years due to struggling with insomnia. The friend expressed devastation over his sudden death.
What Was His Connection to Prince William and Kate Middleton?
In 2010, Duncan shared insights into his friendship with Prince William and Kate Middleton before their marriage. He told the media that the pair had royal protection officers around them at university and that he was among the first to suspect a romantic relationship was developing between them. Duncan said:
“Because we’d had Will and Kate in our midst we had royal protection officers swarming the place. We knew that they had hit it off and we knew that something was happening, but they were just left alone to get on with it.”
What Safety Features Were in Place on the Roof?
The rooftop bar at the Trafalgar St James Hotel, from which Duncan fell, is equipped with high plastic screens around its edges as a safety measure. Despite these precautions, Duncan apparently fell before the police arrived.
Are There Any Ongoing Investigations?
The Metropolitan Police have described Duncan’s death as non-suspicious and unexpected. There has been no public indication of foul play or further investigations beyond the standard inquiries into an accidental death.
Ben Duncan’s death has shocked many, bridging worlds of reality television, British politics, and royal connections. His passing at 45 years leaves a notable void in the lives of friends and acquaintances alike.
