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Chantelle Houghton has revealed that she went into a state of mourning after marrying Samuel Preston.
The Celebrity Big Brother winner dyed her hair black and started to wear darker clothes after tying the knot with Preston in August 2006.
Speaking to Take 5 magazine, Houghton explained: "It wasn't that Preston put pressure on me to change my looks. It's just the way I felt. I got it into my head that I should look a certain way.
"Looking back, I was in mourning for my old life. I didn't see my friends because I was wrapped up in trying to make the relationship work. Plus a few sold stories on me, including my best friend. So I dressed as a widow, rather than a young bride."
The star, who announced that she was divorcing Preston ten months later, added that her image is now more important to her than ever.
"I feel like I go shopping every other day, and my hair extensions cost about £10,000 a year," she admitted. "Then there are manicures, face creams and make-up. I believe girls should be nice-looking and wear nice clothes and that."
Houghton was recently branded a "fake, plastic slap addict" on BBC show Snog, Marry, Avoid?.
