David Gest 'spent up to £10,000 a day on 50p-a-time casino slot machines in the months leading up to his death' 

David Gest spent up to £10,000 a day on slot machines in the months leading up to his death, reportedly racking up debts of almost £500,000.

The 62-year-old former music producer's body was found at the Four Seasons hotel in Canary Wharf, London, yesterday.

Now, friends have revealed Liza Minnelli's ex husband would spend hours having gambling marathons on the 50p-a-time slot machines.  

Friends have revealed that former music producer David Gest, 62, (pictured in a casino with a fan) who was found dead iyesterday, would spend hours having gambling marathons on 50p-a-time slot machines

On Twitter a user wrote: 'I once saw David Gest in a casino playing two slot machines at once. Respect that level of degeneracy. RIP'

A source told The Sun: 'He would spend 24 hours a day chasing the jackpot. David wouldn't think twice about spending £10,000 in one sitting.

'His losses didn't seem to affect him but in a 12-month period it was a substantial amount, it was six figures. It was an addiction.'

According to the newspaper his company had debts of £474,000, leaving him with £57,629 in the bank.

On Twitter a user wrote: 'I once saw David Gest in a casino playing two slot machines at once. Respect that level of degeneracy. RIP.' 

Ealrier today footage of Gest's last ever television interview emerged, showing him discussing his array of British celebrity friends and his plans to try a fish supper for the first time.

The video, which was shot by Estuary TV, was filmed to promote the late star's music show tour, David Gest Is Not Dead But Alive With Soul, which was due to visit Grimsby and Hull in July. 

The video, which was shot by Estuary TV, was filmed to promote the late star's music show tour, David Gest Is Not Dead But Alive With Soul, which was due to visit Grimsby and Hull in July

The video emerged as the star's friends claimed he had been taking sleeping pills and steroids in the weeks before his death as he desperately tried to get over various medical problems. 

The ex husband of Liza Minnelli is believed to have been recently suffering from pneumonia and high blood pressure, with one friend claiming he was disorientated from the drugs.

Their comments came as police confirmed they were treated the incident as 'not suspicious', having received a call to the five-star hotel around 10.20am following reports of an 'unexplained death'. 

In the two minute clip he talks about touring and describes the trip he took to Manchester with singer Dina Carroll. 

The 62-year-old was found dead at the Four Seasons hotel (left) in Canary Wharf on Tuesday morning. Police say the death is being treated as 'unexplained'. He planned to tour theatres in the UK later this year

Gest was a friend of Michael Jackson and was involved in the production of some of Jackson's live works

He said: 'We went up to Manchester with a good friend of mine, Dean Gaffney, who was on EastEnders and he didI'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

'We went up and had dinner with Kim marsh and Jorgie Porter from Hollyoaks who just did I'm A Celebrity and I introduced her to a lot of my friends, including Ryan Thomas who is one of my closest friends.

'He is Coronation Street and he plays - I don't watch that show - but he plays Jason Grimshaw. He's very popular with the ladies!'

When asked if he was planning to try fish and chips while he is in Grimsby he replied: 'I'm going to - I haven't yet but I'm going to.' 

It has been claimed the star, who had recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, had been alone in the 48 hours before his death.

In the two minute clip he talks about touring and describes the trip he took to Manchester with a singer

Gest was married to Liza Minnelli. The couple are pictured on their wedding day in New York

Gest's close friend and former bodyguard Imad Handi released a statement yesterday confirming his death and describing Gest as a 'natural star and genuine celebrity'. He added: 'I will miss him desperately'. 

Dozens of celebrities have since paid tribute to Gest, with one friend calling him as a 'larger than life showbiz icon' who was part of Hollywood royalty with close friend Michael Jackson acting as the best man at his wedding and actress Elizabeth Taylor maid of honour.

Michael Jackson's brother Tito said this morning: 'David was more like a brother to the family. He was a lot of fun, always joyful, always the jokester. David Shared some good times with us, we enjoyed David very much.'

Gest (pictured, right, in 2001) worked with Michael Jackson, who was best man at his wedding, and the two shared a plastic surgeon

Following his death yesterday, Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Police were called at 10.17 on Tuesday 12 April to the Four Seasons hotel, in Westferry Circus to reports of an unexplained death of a man in his 60s. 

'London Ambulance Service were called to the scene. Life was pronounced extinct at the hotel. A post-mortem will be held in due course. Next of kin are in the process of being informed.' 

The show's name is based on a misunderstanding on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year in which other housemates thought he had passed away.

He had struggled with health problems in recent years, leading to an early exit from CBB, and last month said he had turned his back on America and would not return.

He said: 'I will never go back to LA; I will die here and want to be buried in York. I love this country much more than my own'.

Gest found fame in the UK when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, but had to pull out due to poor health

Gest produced the highest rated musical television special in history, Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration: The Solo Years in 2001. He also became the first American to have three prime-time series in the UK. 

He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Southern California where he counted Michael Jackson and his brothers as his childhood best friends.

Mr Gest's work in Hollywood led to him meeting his ex-wife Liza Minnelli and the couple married in a star-studded ceremony with Michael Jackson as best man and Elizabeth Taylor as maid of honour.

The marriage between the Oscar winner and the TV producer was marked by awkward public displays of affection.

They married in 2002 and separated 18 months later. After their split, he sued her for $10 million claiming she physically assaulted him during their relationship; she countersued over claims he'd stolen $2 million in earnings from her performances. They finally filed for divorce in 2007. 

Gest, pictured last week in one of his final public photos with fellow Big Brother stars Jeremy Mcconnell and Stephanie Davis