Angie Bowie exits 'Celebrity Big Brother' after David Bowie's death

BOREHAMWOOD, England, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Angie Bowie has said her final goodbyes to the U.K. reality show Celebrity Big Brother following the death of her ex-husband, David Bowie.

The 66-year-old television star and former model reportedly chose to exit the show after being sick for the last several days, The Guardian reports. Singer David Bowie, to whom she was married from 1970 to 1980, died Jan. 10.

"After being unwell for a few days, Angie Bowie has decided to leave the Celebrity Big Brother house," a Channel 5 spokesman said Tuesday. "Her exit will be addressed in tonight's live show on Channel 5 at 9 pm."

Soon after news of the "Starman" singer's death broke in the house, People magazine quotes Bowie as saying because she hadn't seen her ex-husband "for so many years," she shouldn't "make a big drama out of it."

"I just feel like an era has ended with his passing," she is quoted as saying. "I'm so very sad."

Reports say the Big Brother contestant broke down on camera while filming the show; she told peers John Partridge and David Guest, "Stardust is gone."