Housemates hear about Jackson's death

The ‘Big Brother’ housemates have been told about Michael Jackson’s passing.

News of the ‘Thriller’ singer’s death was broken by visiting ex-housemate Frederico Martone, who was taking on Noirín in today’s‘Gymkhana’ task.

As he stepped into the garden - which was marked out especially as a horse racing course for the challenge – he shook Noirín’s hand then took off one of his white gloves and launched into an impression of the ‘King Of Pop’ dancing.

He then asked Norin who it was. When she told him Michael Jackson, she said: "Did you hear about him? He passed away, he had a cardiac arrest."

Noirín looked shocked, but as didn’t know how to react. After the task she was unsure if she could tell the housemates, so asked Big Brother, before bounding back into the room to break the news to the gathered crowd, who were pleading: “Tell us, just tell us”

Noirín – still dressed in full equestrian garb -said: “It’s really big. OK, Big Brother said it’s not going to affect our task, but for me it’s a big deal because I really respected and thought this guy was great... But on Thursday Michael Jackson died.”

Her revelation was greeted with disbelieving cries of “no!” and “what?” from the housemates.

Charlie started theorising straight away, saying: “Well he’s in his 50s now, and he’s pushed and pushed himself so hard and it’s really took its toll on him.

“And [his sister] La Toya was only on the Celebrity one [‘Big Brother’] in January.”

Later Noirín and Rodrigo discussed their favourite Michael Jackson songs, with Rodrigo saying he likes ‘Billie Jean’.

Michael Jackson died on June 25 of a suspected cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles home.