WAKING up and scrolling through social media, former Celebrity Big Brother winner Chantelle Houghton was once again met with cruel comments about her weight gain.
At 41, Chantelle had reached 13 stone, and the trolling was relentless, with people accusing her of “eating all the pies”; and even claiming she was “going to die.”;
For Chantelle, the negativity became a turning point.
Rather than letting the comments define her, she took matters into her own hands, embarking on a – all without ever setting foot in a gym.
She committed herself to a strict diet, avoiding processed foods and focusing on healthy eating.
But while Chantelle is proud of her achievements, she’s had to deal with accusations that she relied on – the controversial weight-loss drug that’s become a hot topic in recent years.
“There was an article online not long ago, and the comments section was full of people saying, ‘’”; Chantelle revealed.
“But I’ve never taken it. If I had, I’d happily admit it – I’m an open book.
“But I worked hard to lose that , and it really p**sed me off that people dismissed my effort.
“I’ve had to learn to have thick skin and do what’s best for me, but the comments did hurt.”;
She continued: “I personally wouldn’t take it – things like that scare me – but I can understand why some people do.
“If you’re going to use it, make sure it’s from a legitimate source and not something dodgy.
“It’s your body, and you have to do what feels right for you.”;
Nearly 20 years after Chantelle was crowned the winner of , she reflects on how the experience shaped her life.
“CBB was where my life began,”; she said.
“Before that, I didn’t really know where my life was going to go.
Whirlwind romance
“The day before I went into the house, I was just a girl from my hometown.”;
Chantelle had a whirlwind romance with , who she went on to marry just four months after the show at the age of 22.
It was reported that the magazine deal in August 2006, and after their honeymoon, they both moved into Prestons’ flat in Brighton, East Sussex.
But their high profile romance lasted just 10 months as the pair eventually divorced on a mutual agreement.
Even though it didn’t work out. I’m so glad we got married
Chantelle Houghton, 41
“I went from leaving my mum’s house at 6am to going off to Big Brother, and then never really coming back.
“When I came out after winning the show, suddenly I was on the front pages of newspapers and magazines getting offered all of these deals.
“Me and Preston were young, and I thought there was just a lot of outside pressure. Neither of us cheated, it just came to an end.
“Even though it didn’t work out. I’m so glad we got married. I’m glad for everything that we experienced together, we are still really good friends and the friendship is intense – we talk often.”;
King Charles
Chantelle’s fame even brought her to meet – then Prince Charles – at Clarence House in May 2006.
“It was for the Prince’s Trust and I got invited. Obviously you weren’t allowed to bring a plus one, as it was an exclusive thing, but I was so nervous.
“It had been a matter of weeks after coming out of Big Brother.
“It was crazy, one minute I was just this girl from this little town, and then the next I’m with other celebrities in this room at Mother’s house about to meet the Prince.
One day the phone stopped calling and that was it
Chantelle Houghton, 41
“I remember Ant and Dec were there and they were so nice and comforting to me, I’ll never forget that.
“I loved Charles, there’s just something about him.”;
She continues: “The fame was such a whirlwind, but I’ve always been grounded.
“I never believed the hype because I knew it wasn’t sustainable.
“I wasn’t a actress or someone with an amazing talent – I was just a normal girl so I knew the wasn’t going to last.
“One day the phone stopped calling and that was it, but I’m genuinely grateful for every opportunity that’s come my way, and I still am to this day.”;
While Chantelle has fond memories of her time on Big Brother, she wouldn’t want her daughter Dolly, who is nearly 13, going on it now.
“Reality TV was so different back then – there was no social media,”; she said.
I want her to find her own way, but if I had control over it, I’d steer her away from that world
Chantelle Houghton, 41
“If you wanted to know what people thought of you, you’d have to go on forums like Digital Spy. It was all more controlled.
“Now, with , it’s so cutthroat.
“I find it toxic – it’s great for promoting a , but when it comes to things like pranks humiliating strangers, I think it’s appalling.
“I wouldn’t want my daughter to go into reality TV. Kids are so impressionable, and the pressure is just too much.
“I want her to find her own way, but if I had control over it, I’d steer her away from that world.”;
Chantelle is cautious about the impact of social media on young people.
Social media
“My daughter doesn’t have social media,”; she said. “She’s not old enough, and I hope she doesn’t want it either.
“You can’t control what they see, and it’s just so toxic. I think it’s lazy parenting when kids are handed social media to keep them quiet.
“Kids shouldn’t have social media until they’re old enough, and even then, I don’t think 13 or 14 is old enough.”;
Alongside parenting, Chantelle is now focusing on launching her own wellness and beauty brand.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since 2017, and now it’s all finally coming together,”; she said.
“It’s nice to be proud of something that’s completely my own, rather than promoting someone else’s product.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m excited to finally make it happen.”;
Looking back on her journey, Chantelle remains unapologetically herself.
“You’re never going to please everyone, and that’s okay,”; she said. “I didn’t – it was for me.
“I’ve learned to do what makes me happy, and that’s what matters most.
“Fame isn’t everything, and I’m just grateful for the life I’ve built and the opportunities I’ve had along the way.
“I’m currently single and happy. I’m really happy with my life and how it is.
“My daughter is the most important thing to me, and I’m also not looking for anyone either.
“I think you find love when it’s meant to find you.”;
