Big Brother reunion for Chantelle and Preston
'Big Brother' divorcees Chantelle and Preston were reunited tonight as they joined the all-star line-up for the final series.
The couple, who met on the celebrity version of the show and married after a whirlwind romance, were among 11 contestants joining 'Ultimate Big Brother'.
Tonight’s programme kicked off just moments after the winner of 'Big Brother 11' was announced, with victor Josie shocked to learn she was being thrown straight into another series.
Chantelle and Preston, who split after just nine months of marriage, were often said to be on the verge of rekindling their love and remained on good terms despite the end of their relationship.
When the pair saw each other they smiled and hugged.
“You look so much shorter,” Chantelle said.
“Do you come here often?” Preston joked.
Also joining the series for the last push – a fortnight-long run before the reality series leaves Channel 4 for good – were past stars including CBB champion Ulrika Jonsson, past winner Brian Dowling, rapper Coolio and racing pundit John McCririck.
Sparks could fly with the reunion of Coolio and Jonsson who were noted for their fractious relationship when they appeared together in 'Celebrity Big Brother 6' last year.
McCririck’s inclusion could also prove explosive after he rubbed a number of housemates up the wrong way during his previous appearance.
When he entered the house this evening he held up a home made banner saying “evict me please” and told presenter Davina McCall he was “only in it for the money”.
Also joining the last hurrah was anti-hero “nasty” Nick Bateman who notably became the first person to be kicked out of the show during the first series in 2000 after trying to influence nominations.
He was booed by the crowd as he entered the house wearing a t-shirt which read “it’s only a game show”.
Completing the group were Makosi Musambasi, sex-change Big Brother 5 winner Nadia Almada and Nikki Grahame.
The moment Grahame walked into the house McCririck told her: “None of your tantrums with me.”
Josie, who won the series with 77.5% of the public vote, scooped the £100,000 (€120,000) prize money and a chance to compete in the final run.
During the series she developed an on/off romance with Australian heartthrob John James.
Before the blonde went into the house she claimed she was going to “find a husband” there.
Josie, who left the complex in a multi-coloured maxi-dress, told presenter Davina McCall that she thought John James was “super handsome”.
“Every minute felt like an hour (when he left),” she said.
“When you spend that much time with someone, when they are not there you get really down.”
The financial sales rep told the show’s host Davina McCall that she would use some of her winnings to buy former housemate Steve new legs.
The ex-serviceman lost both his legs as well as an eye when he was injured by a bomb in 1989 while on patrol in Belfast.
Welsh minister Dave came second with 9.1% of the vote. Mario, who came third, entered the house as a “mole” and had to perform secret tasks while dressed in a mole costume.
He was selected by a tombola at the start of the series 77 days ago.
JJ, a professional boxer and barman from London, came in fourth.
Student Andrew, who was the youngest contestant to make the final, came in fifth.
