Konnie Huq defends BB wannabes

Konnie Huq has defended Big Brother contestants who try their best to stay in the spotlight after leaving the house.

The former Blue Peter host said that she can understand why former contestants like Chantelle Houghton have decided to make money by selling details of their personal lives in celebrity magazines.

"When people talk of a 'real career' you think lawyer or teacher," Konnie told Celebs on Sunday magazine. "But not everyone wants to do that. So in a way, if your option is stacking shelves or being Chantelle, wouldn't you take your opportunities when you could?

"Much in life depends on what you would have done anyway. And as celebrity culture is so skewed towards women's fashion and appearance, people focus more on these girls. So the blokes from Big Brother fade into oblivion."

Huq is believed to be in the running to replace Big Brother's Little Brother host Dermot O'Leary when the reality show returns next month.