Chantelle Houghton says she was paid £250K for first Big Brother interview

‘There’s no shame in having a real job’: Chantelle Houghton says she was paid £250K for first Big Brother interview and was a ‘millionaire’ before quitting fame for a job at the Body Shop

Chantelle Houghton has opened up about how she now lives a ‘normal life’ after finding fame on the 2006 edition of Celebrity Big Brother.

The reality personality, who now works for the Body Shop, says she was once paid £250,000 for her first interview after leaving the Big Brother house.

Chantelle found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston during her time on the show and admitted she was given almost £1million for their wedding interview. 

Moving on: Chantelle Houghton has opened up about how she now lives a ‘normal life’ after finding fame on the 2006 edition of Celebrity Big Brother

Despite the eye-watering fees coming her way, Chantelle told the Sun she was always sensible: ‘I was a millionaire and I’ve got a mortgage-free home as a result. 

‘I was very wise with my money, I didn’t go out and spend it on designer handbags or shoes, I grew up with bailiffs knocking on the door, and I just didn’t want to live that life.’

She explained that before finding fame she would work £60-a-day for her mum’s partner’s removal company, insisting that she has never been ‘work shy’. 

Wow! The reality personality, who now works for the Body Shop, says she was once paid £250,000 for her first interview after leaving the Big Brother house

Wow! The reality personality, who now works for the Body Shop, says she was once paid £250,000 for her first interview after leaving the Big Brother house

Chantelle added: ‘I’ve never admitted that before but I’ve realised there’s no shame in having a real job.’

The mother of one has previously spoken about how she joined the company as an Independent Consultant in September, during an Instagram Live earlier this year.

Chanelle was quickly promoted to  Area Manager within weeks of joining the company, where she sells products through social media and runs a team of 21.

Mind-blowing: Chantelle found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston during her time on the show and admitted she was given almost £1million for their wedding interview

Mind-blowing: Chantelle found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston during her time on the show and admitted she was given almost £1million for their wedding interview

The Body Shop at  Home is a multi level marketing platform, which can often be deemed controversial due to their buy-in rates. 

The Body Shop’s buy-in rate is £49 and sellers are encouraged to purchase stock.

Chantelle said that the benefits of working for the company include giving her life some structure by working for three to four hours a fay and meeting ‘real people’.

She confessed that once she quit fame and was no longer footing the bill, many people she considered to be her best friends vanished. 

Despite the eye-watering fees coming her way, Chantelle told the Sun she was always sensible: 'I was a millionaire and I've got a mortgage-free home as a result'

Despite the eye-watering fees coming her way, Chantelle told the Sun she was always sensible: ‘I was a millionaire and I’ve got a mortgage-free home as a result’

Chantelle got engaged to fiance Michael Strutt, 35, after three months of dating last year, following a long-running friendship.

The TV star said the couple are in no rush to get married and hope to enjoy a long engagement while focusing on renovating their home and Michael’s business.

The mother-of-one revealed she has invited her ex-husband Preston, real name Samuel Dylan Murray Preston, to her upcoming wedding. 

Honest: She explained that before finding fame she would work £60-a-day for her mum's partner's removal company, insisting that she has never been 'work shy'

Honest: She explained that before finding fame she would work £60-a-day for her mum’s partner’s removal company, insisting that she has never been ‘work shy’

Speaking to OK! Magazine about whether he would be invited, she said: ‘He’s more than welcome if he wants to – I doubt he will but he’s more than welcome. 

‘Michael is just a grounded, normal bloke. He also understands that Preston was a big part of my life and our relationship is solid, so he’s absolutely fine with me inviting him to the wedding.

‘He trusts me completely and I trust him completely. I always thought you should never trust someone 100 per cent, but Michael’s changed my opinion on that. He’s definitely the one for me.’

New man: Chantelle got engaged to fiance Michael Strutt, 35, after three months of dating last year, following a long-running friendship

New man: Chantelle got engaged to fiance Michael Strutt, 35, after three months of dating last year, following a long-running friendship