The former Celeb Big Brother winner lifts the lid on her former friendships from the show and reveals her biggest ‘pinch me’ moment at the height of her fame.
It’s hard to believe that this January marked 20 years since Chantelle Houghton entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. A complete unknown at the time, she was given the unusual task of convincing her fellow housemates that she was the lead singer of a fictional band, Kandy Floss. Not only did she pull it off, but she also won over the viewers’ hearts, emerging as the series winner.
Chantelle’s charm wasn’t the only thing that captured the nation’s attention. Her blossoming romance with Ordinary Boys frontman Samuel Preston became a major talking point, as audiences watched the pair fall in love on-screen. The couple married shortly after the show, though they split less than a year later.
Despite another high-profile relationship with former mixed martial artist Alex Reid, Chantelle has since taken a step back from the spotlight, finding the pressures of fame too challenging.
Yet looking back, she insists her time on Big Brother remains a highlight, describing it as the best thing she’s ever done.
Speaking to online casino Betway, she also reflects on her longstanding friendship with Preston, the real reason they’ll never rekindle their romance, and her famous celebrity encounters following Celebrity Big Brother.
Why do you think so many people loved your love story with Preston?
I think everyone loves love, don’t they? It’s such an amazing thing. It was such a strange situation, too, with me not really being a celebrity and then pretending to be one, and Preston already having a girlfriend. But there was something very innocent about what was developing between us. I think people kind of fell in love with us falling in love. You don’t often get to see that happen. You hear about your friends or family falling in love, but it’s rare to actually watch it unfold on TV, without it being like a soap. Because it was so real and so innocent, people just loved it.
I think we were very lucky to be part of that era of reality TV, because it quickly turned into game-playing, where people knew that if you went on television and got into a relationship, you’d get exposure. None of that was a thing back then. It was just real, it was raw.
Are you still friends?
Yeah, we still message every now and then. I think he’s engaged to someone now. I don’t know if that’s public knowledge, but hey! We’re still friendly, there’s no bad blood. We didn’t have an awful falling out. Obviously, there were problems and a bit of animosity at the time, but no, I genuinely wish him well. We’ve been through so much together that no one else will really understand. That friendship still matters. It’s good memories, and it’s something we did once in our lives. It was just a great experience.
Do you get tired of fans wanting the pair of you to reunite as a couple?
The first 10 years after the split, it was one thing, but now I think most people have realised we’re not getting back together. Never ever! I think people realise it’s definitely over for good. Although he did like one of my posts on Instagram, that got a few people excited. But no, we’re not getting back together, ever.
Why can you say that with such certainty?
We’re totally different people from who we were then. It’s been 20 years! I’ve been through experiences that have completely changed me, and I’m sure he has, too. We’re just very, very, very different people now. Back in my 20s, I was one person, and now, in my 40s, I’m still that person in some ways, but I’m also very, very different. If we were both single and met for the first time now, there wouldn’t be that same spark.
Your relationship with Preston was so public – how has that impacted your relationships?
Right now, I’m not sure whether I want to go public with my new man or keep it just for me. I’m living in the moment. I want to tell the world how amazing he is, of course I do, but for now, I’m keeping it to myself.
Looking back on your season of the show, do you think there was a contestant who got an unfair edit?
I loved Pete (Burns). He was a little controversial, but he got a lot of love from fans too.
Is there anything you would change about your time on the show?
My confidence in standing up for myself, but I was so young. I was in the house with Dennis Rodman, and we clashed. If I could go back and redo anything, I would have handled it differently and not been afraid to stand up for myself more than I did. I’m pleased with how I handled things as I tried to not let him bother me, but I wish I’d been more outspoken.
During your height of fame, was there ever a celebrity who offered you some great advice?
Jamie Oliver has always been one of the nicest celebrities. We both appeared on a show together, and he took the time to talk to me about sudden fame and coping with it. He even invited me out to eat with his wife, Jools. Dermot O’Leary is also wonderful. I ran into him recently, and he’s just such a nice man.
At the height of your Big Brother fame, what was the biggest pinch-me moment?
I got invited to Clarence House through the Prince’s Trust to have afternoon tea back in 2006. I was just weeks out of the Big Brother house. There were little pictures of Prince William when he was young, and I was standing next to Ant and Dec. Charles came in to greet everyone and shook my hand. It was surreal! I actually left my passport there, and they had to ring my emergency contact, who was my grandparents. That was a strange moment for them!
