Angie Bowie is the ex-wife of the late musician David Bowie. David Bowie passed away on Sunday, January 10 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Us Weekly reports that Angie Bowie was informed of David’s death while on the set of Celebrity Big Brother .
A representative for the reality show has confirmed that Angie Bowie received the news and that she is carrying on with the show despite the death of her ex-husband.
“Following the very sad news of David Bowie’s death, we can now confirm that Angie Bowie has been informed off camera by her representatives. She has taken the decision to continue in the program.”
Angie Bowie breaks down on Celebrity Big Brother as she talks about her ex-husband’s death https://t.co/816JWIp84A pic.twitter.com/xNuxMMe54V
— The Evening Times (@TheEveningTimes) January 12, 2016
Angie Bowie was estranged from David. She married him in 1970 and the couple split in 1980. Angie said in one episode of Celebrity Big Brother that she went to great lengths to stay away from him.
“I go to great lengths to avoid him. It was terrible when we broke up, it was awful.”
Angie Bowie also has no contact with the son she had with David Bowie, Duncan Jones. Daily Mail reports that Angie revealed on one episode of Celebrity Big Brother that her son hates her . She blames her son’s feelings for her on David.
#DavidBowie , Zowie Bowie ( #DuncanJones ) & Angie Bowie, 1974. pic.twitter.com/P7sCpyp0kc
— Punk77Rocker (@Punk77Rocker) November 5, 2015
As for why she is doing a reality TV show? Angie Bowie says it is to help promote her books.
“I wanted to do a reality show to promote my books. I’ve been asked to do a hundreds of them in the States but I’ve said ‘no’ every time. I just wanted to do the biggest and the best!”
Angie Bowie’s team shared their condolences on her Twitter page after news of David’s death became known.
RIP #DavidBowie . Our hearts go out to all the family and to #cbbangie at this vulnerable time. One of history’s greatest artist.<3TeamAngie
— Angie Bowie (@angiebowie2020) January 11, 2016
Unfortunately, some fans were not all that supportive of Angie Bowie.
@angiebowie2020 no thoughts to her shes a vile human being all shes done is feed off the name of a man she divorced 36 yrs ago vile woman
— janine bolland (@JanineBolland) January 11, 2016
Angie Bowie has lived off David’s name like the parasite she is and now trying to live from his death, didn’t fight for son just the name
— yvonne (@badgalvon) January 13, 2016
Not only is Angie Bowie receiving unkind remarks, but The Guardian reports that Channel 5, which produces Celebrity Big Brother , is under fire for showing Angie in tears after receiving the news of David’s death while off camera. She seemed truly saddened by David’s passing.
“I haven’t seen him in so many years, I can’t make a big drama out of it. I just feel like an era has ended with his passing. I’m so very sad. The stardust is gone.”
Channel 5 has received numerous complaints and people have taken to Twitter to express their disbelief at how the studio is handling the situation.
Still can’t believe C5 – even C5 – did a “Coming up tomorrow, David Bowie’s ex-wife weeps in the diary room at the news of his death.” #CBB
— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) January 11, 2016
Low blow from #CBB to show Angie Bowie’s reaction despite saying she was told off-camera.. Literally no one needed to see that
— Ellie (@eleanorrrrrrrr_) January 12, 2016
A spokesperson explained how Angie Bowie received the news, her decision to stay on set, and the footage that was taken after she heard the news.
“Angie Bowie was told off-camera about the tragic death of David Bowie by her agent. She then took the decision to remain in the house of her own accord. Last night’s preview of the upcoming programme included footage of Angie in the diary room after she had heard the news about her ex-husband.”
OK! reports that Piers Anthony of Good Morning Britain also had strong words to say about the decision to show Angie Bowie’s reaction to David’s death, calling her tears “crocodile tears.”
“I’ve got to say I didn’t like that, I find that, actually, pretty gut-wrenching. The idea you play out, in my view, somebody’s crocodile tears…”
He went on to say it’s all about the reality show.
“To be in a reality show and sort of make capital out of your bogus grief when you’ve been dumping on him for 40 years, I think is actually pretty rich.”
[Composite image containing photos by Smith, Jeff Spicer/Getty Images]
