No cause of death has been released, but the bank worker suffered from the auto-immune disease Lupus since childhood


By Emily Sheridan

Davina McCall has led tributes to former Big Brother 10 contestant Sophia Brown, who has reportedly died aged just 30 years old.

The London bank worker, who featured on the reality show three years ago, passed away this week, according to widespread reports on social-networking websites.

Although a cause of death hasn't been announced, the bubbly reality star had suffered from the auto-immune disease Lupus since childhood.

Scroll down to watch a video of Sophia's eviction from Big Brother 10

Bubbly: Big Brother 10 contestant Sophia Brown, pictured during her eviction from the reality show in 2009, has died aged 30

Sophia was evicted from the Channel 4 show in June 2009 after just eight days in the house.

After being informed of Sophia's passing by Big Brother 9 contestant Luke Marsden, McCall wrote on her Twitter page: 'That's really sad. My thoughts r with her family.'

Her former housemate Lisa Jayne Wallace was apparently the first to announce the news, posting a lengthy tribute on her Facebook page.


Tributes: Davina McCall, pictured last Friday, said she was 'sad' to hear about Sophia's death

The power of social networking: Davina heard about Sophia's death on Twitter

She wrote: 'Would like to offer my condolences to Sophia Brown from BB10's family and friends in their very sad loss. Sophia was a ray of sunshine. I am so glad to of had the pleasure of spending time with her in the bb house.

'Sophia, you were an angel on earth, who always could make me laugh. I know that God would have made you an angel in heaven too. You're (sic) expressions and wit will always be something that I will remember forever. The laughs we had I will treasure always. RIP angel. x x x x x never forgotten x x x.'

Glamour model Sophie Reade, who went on win the series after Sophia's eviction, tweeted: 'Devastated to hear the news about Sophia, such an amazing lady and a pleasure to known her. Can't believe it #RIP.'

Sad: Big Brother narrator Marcus Bentley joined Sophia's former BB10 housemates in remembering the bubbly bank worker

Big Brother narrator Marcus Bentley also paid tribute: 'Such very sad news about BB 10 housemate Sophia Brown - god bless Sophia xx.'

Fellow Big Brother 10 contestants Karly Ashworth, Marcus Akin and Rodrigo Lopez also paid tribute.

Scottish blonde Ashworth said: 'RIP to Sophia Brown who was also on my series of Big Brother. Such sad news. My thoughts are with her family and friends.'

Marcus Akin added: 'RIP Sophia from my series of BB. Such a shame, she was a lovely girl.'


Brief encounter: Sophia was voted out of the Big Brother house on day 9, pictured with eventual winner Sophie Reade (right)

Lengthy: Sophia's Brazilian housemate Rodrigo Lopes wrote a long tribute to Sophia on his Twitter page

Victor Ebuwa, who was in Big Brother 5, tweeted: 'RIP Sophia Brown (Big Brother 10). I only met you a few times but I could tell you were a lovely and wonderful person. You will be missed.'

During her nine days in the Big Brother house, Sophia clashed with fellow housemate Saffia May Corden, which heavily influenced her being voted off by the public.

During her eviction interview with Davina, she said: 'I didn't know I was coming off across that aggressive... but I was myself.'

In her Big Brother profile, the 4ft 11 bank worker described herself as 'fun, fierce and feisty', admitting being diagnosed with Lupus as a child had given her a positive attitude.


Second out: Sophia appeared on the tenth series of Big Brother alongside Karly Ashworth (second left), Rodrigo Lopes (third left) and eventual winner Sophie Reade (third right)




source:dailymail