Celebrity Big Brother star Jessica Cunningham has been devastated by the news that her ex boyfriend – and father of her three children – has died.
Even though she and Alistair Eccles were no longer romantically involved, he was still part of their daughters’ lives.
A rep for the former Apprentice star told the Sun: “Despite their break up, Alistair was a really good father to their children.
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“Jessica is politely asking for some privacy at this devastating time so that she can protect her three girls.”
According to a police statement, Alistair was found dead at his home in Burnley.
“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.”
Before Jessica appeared on The Apprentice, their team had to do background checks on their contestants, and were said to have not liked what they found.
A source told The Sun: “Lord Sugar and the Apprentice team do lots of background checks, but there are things that slip through the cracks.
“He won’t be hugely impressed to know that Jessica’s ex, and someone who she worked closely with on her business, was involved in a horrible scam.
“They used to live together in Burnley but they’ve separated now as she left him after he was convicted.”
Earlier this year Jessica she had embraced being a single mum but admitted that she was always on the look out for love.
“I’m young, I’m single and my main commitments are my children and my business” she told reality star-turned-presenter Andy West.
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“Dating people, I mean why not? I think as a single mum I need adult company.
“I enjoy speaking to people and meeting people and I don’t think you should be judged or criticised for having fun and exploring everything, there’s nothing wrong with that.
“I love going dating. When I go on a first date I like to create an awkward silence just to see how they deal with that.
“I’m very open and very straight, when I’m single, I’m single, if I’m with somebody I’m 100% committed and I love being in love but the right person hasn’t come along for me to have that with them. ”