Exclusive:
OG reality star Chantelle Houghton who shot to fame on Celebrity Big Brother opens up about her lovelife – and why she’d rather be alone than coupled up and feeling ‘lonely’
She shot to fame nearly two decades ago, and Chantelle Houghton is still as honest and down-to-earth as she was then. The 41-year-old, who first won hearts in Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, entered the house as a non-celebrity and managed to convince her housemates she was a star, before going on to win the show. From her whirlwind 10-month marriage to Ordinary Boys frontman Preston, to her highly publicised one-year relationship with Katie Price ’s ex Alex Reid in 2011, Chantelle has had her fair share of headline-grabbing moments.
Now, Chantelle tells OK! that she is enjoying a quieter life than she did in the old days, happily single and a doting mum to 12-year-old daughter Dolly – who she shares with ex Alex – and she isn’t in any particular rush to date again. Here, the reality star opens up about why she’s sworn off the apps, how CBB transformed her life and which celeb she’d love to see in the famous house…
Chantelle! How are you? Is there anyone special in your life?
I have no love life! I’ve been single for many, many years now because of the circumstances that I was in. I wasn’t forced, but I was in circumstances looking after my little girl where I spent a lot of my time alone. And I’m not one of those people to be with someone just for the sake of it. I’ve always said that I’d rather be sitting on the sofa by myself, than be sitting on the sofa with someone feeling lonely, because there’s nothing worse than actually being in a relationship and feeling lonely and unhappy.
Are you open to love, though?
I’m open to meeting somebody. I’m not closed off from it, but I certainly haven’t met anyone that I’d want to progress things with. I don’t date, I’m not on any dating apps. If it’s going to happen, it will happen naturally. But I’ve spent so much time on my own that I’m alright. I don’t need to be with someone to feel whole. I’m not trying to find my happiness in somebody else. I am happy on my own; if I meet someone, they’re just going to add to that happiness. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a few offers, but I’ve politely declined. Most of them are really old as well [Laughs].
Celebrity Big Brother is back soon. How did that show change your life?
It completely turned my life around. I was completely broke when I walked in that day, and the change was basically overnight. I was able to buy my own home. I’ll be forever grateful for the experiences I had, and the people I’ve met. It completely shaped my life. It’s led me to where I am now.
What was the most challenging aspect of being in the house?
That first week because you’re so near yet so far. I’d managed to get into the house and then within seconds, it could all be taken away from me. There were so many emotions – happiness that I was there, excitement and then this fear that I was going to be found out and chucked out. Thank God I pulled it off.
You returned for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 and came third. How’d it feel second time round?
It was a really different experience – because I was going in there in my own right, I was able to enjoy it a lot more. I knew what to expect when I was coming out. Whereas the first time, it was all unknown. I didn’t know what people were thinking, I didn’t know what I was coming out to. Your marriage to Preston and your relationship with Alex Reid [who won Celebrity Big Brother in 2010] were both highly publicised.
Was that scrutiny tough?
At the beginning, it’s all lovely. Everyone followed mine and Preston’s journey. At the beginning, you’re in love, everything’s happy and rosy, and everyone’s coming along on this really amazing love story with you, and you’re OK with that. But then when the relationship breaks down, it’s not good. It’s OK when you’re in the public eye and everything’s great but when there’s a relationship breakdown, it is very difficult because everyone’s got their own opinion. And sometimes that hurts.
Who would be your ultimate Celebrity Big Brother contestant?
Meghan Markle. It’s highly unrealistic, clearly, but if I could choose anyone it would be her. It would be great to see her in that situation.
What advice would you give to anyone going into the show?
My biggest piece of advice? If you’ve created any kind of a persona of yourself in the media that you are a caring, nice, top guy or girl and that’s not really you and it’s the spin that your PR company has created for you, then do not go in the Big Brother house. Because people will end up seeing the real you in there – you will be seen.
Chantelle was speaking in association with WDW Bingo
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