‘She was an amazing lady’: Big Brother’s Rylan Clark-Neal pays tribute to Bit On The Side regular Karen Cummings after her death aged 47
Rylan Clark-Neal has paid a touching tribute to an audience regular from Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, after her death aged 47.
The presenter, 31, took to Instagram to pen a tribute to the ‘amazing’ Karen Cummings, saying he was ‘gutted’ to hear of her passing.
Rylan hosted Big Brother’s spin-off Bit On The Side from 2013 until the Channel 5 series was axed in 2018.
Sad news: Rylan Clark-Neal has paid a touching tribute to an audience regular from Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, after her death aged 47
Taking to Twitter, Rylan shared a tribute to guest Karen as he re-posted a photo and statement that had been shared by her loved ones.
The image also stated she passed away on 20 July, and her cause of death is not yet known.
Rylan’s caption read: ‘Just been informed of some very sad news. Our #BBBOTS audience regular lovely Karen has sadly passed away.
‘She was an amazing lady we spent many shows with and I’m gutted to hear this news, sending all my love to Nicola and the family. Rest in Peace beautiful xx.’
Tragedy: The presenter took to Instagram to pen a tribute to the ‘amazing’ Karen Cummings, saying he was ‘gutted’ to hear of her passing
Moving: Rylan re-posted a tribute shared by Karen’s family announcing her death on 20 July. Her cause of death is not yet known
The original statement shared by Karen’s family read: ‘It is with deep regret we wish to inform you that our beloved sister Karen Cummings, 47, has sadly passed away. She is survived by her father Leon, Brother Anthony and family, three sisters Rosemary, Tracey and Nicola and her niece Chantelle.
‘Please respect the family wishes for privacy at this difficult time. More details to follow. Thank you.’
Under Rylan’s post, Karen’s sister Nicola replied: ‘Thank you Rylan and everybody for your kind messages,’ which led the presenter to respond: ‘Thinking of you.’
Grateful: Under Rylan’s tweet, Karen’s sister Nicola responded thanking him and his fans for their kind messages of support
Rylan took over as the host of Bit On The Side in 2013, and began hosting solo in 2015 when Emma Willis took over hosting duties Big Brother.
Along with chatting to celebrity panel, many of the audience’s regulars became fan favourites, offering their no-nonsense views on the celebrity and civilian housemates.
Bit On The Side ended in November in 2018, when Big Brother itself was axed by Channel 5.
Beloved: Rylan hosted Big Brother’s spin-off Bit On The Side from 2013 until the Channel 5 series was axed in 2018