EXCLUSIVE Have the Big Brother couple found true love or is it a …
Mirror.co.uk – London,UK
… As celebrity agent Mark Borkowski puts it: “Their celebrity was beginning to wane. By getting married so soon they’re trying to re-establish themselves.”. …
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FAIRY TELLE WEDDING
Have the Big Brother couple found true love or is it a fame-hungry stunt?
By Antonia Hoyle
AT 4pm today Chantelle Houghton will say “I do” to Samuel Preston – after meeting a mere 222 days ago in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
The happy couple will exchange vows in front of 45 guests at an intimate ceremony at upmarket Dartmouth House in London’s Mayfair
The nuptials will be a lavish affair – the bride’s ivory gown has been designed by Elizabeth Emanuel, who crafted Princess Diana’s wedding dress in 1981.
And afterwards there’s an exotic beach holiday to look forward to.
But the big question on everyone’s lips is: why such a scramble to get down the aisle?
Preston, who fronts indie band the Ordinary Boys insists that marrying Chantelle so soon after meeting “just felt right”.
But their friends are concerned over their haste, and point to the differences between them as ruining the chance of it lasting.
“There’s no doubt they’re devoted to each other – anyone in their company sees them kissing, touching and texting,” says a mutual friend.
“I’m not saying they’re not in love – no one’s cynical about that. The cynicism comes into why they’ve decided to get married so quickly. Some of us think they’re doing it to capitalise on their fame.”
It’s a fair assumption. Before CBB, Essex-born Chantelle was a sales girl and Paris Hilton impersonator while music biz insiders say Preston’s band had a limited future. But being on the show has changed both their fortunes. Chantelle, 23, got a magazine contract, sold her life story to E4’s Living The Dream, and modelled for Marks & Spencer and Motorola. She has now officially made a million. Meanwhile, 25-year-old Preston got a Top 10 single from the re-release of Boys Will Be Boys and a DJ slot on national radio.
Yet neither are big enough stars to see their celebrity last much longer. Although as man and wife it’ll be a different story.
Which is why advisers to the couple – who have become jokingly known as Prestelle – are said to have encouraged them to wed at the first opportunity.
Aides told them there was a “small window of opportunity” after Big Brother 7 before the value of their vows slipped. As celebrity agent Mark Borkowski puts it: “Their celebrity was beginning to wane. By getting married so soon they’re trying to re-establish themselves.”
Last night, the couple stayed at the plush Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair. Beforehand, Chantelle spent 10 hours at stylists Richard Ward.
She left the Chelsea salon with newly dark brown locks, just visible under a cap with white hair extensions attached to it – a feeble attempt to fool photographers into thinking she was still a bottle blonde.
It’s not the only thing they have done to try and outwit the press.
They listed three possible wedding venues – Brighton Pavil-lion, Claridges and Dartmouth House. Even guests didn’t know where to go until this morning. Was this to maintain the sanctity of their big day? Or to protect their big day? Or to protect their £300,000 magazine deal?
Borkowski adds: “It’s a well-known tactic to say you want a low-key wedding-. So if it doesn’t get any coverage you can say you didn’t want any anyway.”
No one doubts there is a spark between them, yet few believe they make a perfect match.
Many of Preston’s pals feel he’s far better suited to his ex-fiancee, Camille Aznar, 25.
“She’s more his kind of girl,” says one friend. “They used to talk about poetry and politics whereas Chantelle’s interested m make-up and fashion.
“She’s more his kind of girl,” says one friend. “They used to talk about poetry and politics whereas Chantelle’s interested in make-up and fashion.
“Chantelle is basically chavvy and Preston’s too cool for school. She wants to be famous while he gets fed up with all the exposure.
“There is a chemistry between them but when the honeymoon’s over you have to be friends as well as lovers, and their tastes are miles apart.”
That’s hardly surprising. Preston went to £9,660-a-year Sompting Abbotts prep school near Brighton, whereas self-styled “blonde bimbo” Chantelle left school at 16. Tellingly, she wanted a “fairy-tale” wedding with a horse drawn carriage. He said he’d rather “kill himself”.
Her mum Vivien and cabbie dad Alan are said to be thrilled with the nuptials. But there are hints that his mum Miranda and dad Anthony aren’t quite so pleased. In fact, Miranda only met Chantelle yesterday. terday. he Ordinary Boys will be there to celebrate, but none of their Celebrity Big Brother housemates are expected.
“Anyone who goes to that wedding is relate” says Jodie Marsh, who befriended Chantelle in the CBB house and was then dumped by her new pal. “I don’t think it’s genuine at all.
With brands rushing to get involved (Haribo designed a box of sweets just for their wedding) and Chantelle s autobiography due this autumn, the Prestelle bandwagon rumbles on. But friends say they should enjoy their success – and their marriage – while it lasts.
“Everyone’s giving it two to five years,” confides one source. “Some say they think they’re m love, but it’s really lust and will wear off.
But Preston insists: “She’s like a soulmate.”
And Chantelle says: “I want to be Mrs Preston and have that ring on my finger. What’s the point in meeting the love of your life and having a long engagement?” Let’s hope time proves them right.
antonia.hoyle@mirror.co.uk
CHANTELLE’S GOOD FORTUN
£25,000 for winning Celebrity Big Brother
£280,000 for the interviews she’s done with OK!
£300,000 for the wedding coverage
£50,000 for E4’s Living The Dream
£150,000 for modelling for M&S
£50,000 for promoting Motorola mobile phones
£300,000 for her autobiography, out this autumn