James ‘Fungi’ Clarke has died aged 50.
The ‘Benefits Street’ star – who rose to fame on the controversial Channel 4 programme in 2014 alongside Deirdre Kelly aka White Dee – has passed away from a heart attack following a suspected overdose in the early hours of Monday (01.07.19) morning.
Police and ambulance crews were called to Clarke’s home – reportedly a house for recovering addicts – in Birmingham at around 2.45am, but he could not be saved despite attempts to revive him.
A spokesman said: "His death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the coroner."
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance added: "On arrival crews found a patient in cardiac arrest.
"Unfortunately nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."
His ex-partner Donna Reilly – who raised his eldest daughter Kirsty, 29 – told The Sun Online: "The family are very upset, we’ve only just heard. It’s been a long time, about 30 years.
"The last time I saw him was at his dad’s funeral in January. I haven’t seen him since, I don’t keep in touch with him."
She later wrote on Facebook: "Death leaves a heartache no [one] can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
The father-of-four rose to fame on the Channel 4 series which followed the residents of Winson Green.
Fungi was one of the first people to appear on the programme five years ago, when it focused on the lives of those who lived on James Turner Street, where around 90 percent of locals were receiving benefits.
Benefits Street’s Fungi dies aged 50
