James Clarke, who appeared on Channel 4 series Benefits Street, has been found dead. 

Clarke’s body was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning in Birmingham, after police were called. 

He was confirmed dead at the scene after suffering a cardiac arrest. 

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 2.52am by police to Vicarage Road, Kings Heath to reports of a patient in cardiac arrest.

“Two ambulances were sent but after the first crew arrived, the second was quickly stood down.

“Confirmed death of a man, handed over to the police.”

Clarke, who was best known by his nickname ‘Fungi’, was one of the participants to Channel 4 documentary series Benefits Street. 

The first series in 2014 focused on the lives of several residents of James Turner Street in Winson Green, Birmingham, where it was reported that 90% of the residents claimed benefits.

Clarke’s addiction to drink and drugs was documented on the show, with fellow resident Dee Kelly – aka ‘White Dee’ – often attempting to help him overcome his habit. 

Clarke is the second Benefits Street contributor to die since the show finished airing in 2015. 

Series two regular Lee Nutley was found dead at his home in 2016 on the Stockton-On-Tees estate where the second series was filmed.