A reality star who found fame on the Italian version of Big Brother has died aged 37.
Monica Sirrianni, 37, died after "collapsing in a bar on night out with her friends" in the southern town of Soveria Mannelli.
Her death was first reported by local media. After collapsing she was rushed to a hospital but sadly later passed away. Doctors have yet to confirm her cause of death, but have not ruled out a heart attack.
Australian-born Monica was best known for appearing on season 12 of Italy's Big Brother, which ran from 2011 to 2012.
She was 25 at the time she entered the house and spent a month on TV, before being evicted.
Having entered the show with boyfriend Diego, she formed a close flirty bond with housemate Fabrizio which soon became romantic. However their relationship ended soon after her eviction.
The show was eventually won by Sabrina Mbarek, who took home the €300,000 prize.
While Monica's parents are believed to have left Italy and returned to Australia to live in Sydney, Monica remained in the country. She turned her back on fame after appearing on the show, becoming an English teacher.
Known in Italy as Grande Fratello, Big Brother is a cultural phenomenon and remains enduringly popular. While there has been a decline in viewers since it premiered, the show remains one of the country's most popular reality shows.
Participants are thrust into the limelight and many have gone on to become household names since it's launch in 2000.
One of these contestants is Daniela Martani, who later appeared on the Italian version of I'm A Celeb along with British football legend Paul Gascoigne – who was pictured rubbing sun tan lotion on her.
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