He was the singer in indie-ska also-rans The Ordinary Boys. She was a former Paris Hilton lookalike and failed Big Brother candidate. Thrust together with the barminess of Michael Barrymore and pussycat-impressionist George Galloway either side of them, the duo began a whirlwind romance. Humongous magazine deals and wedding bells quickly followed, but the unlikely pairing were not built to last. 15 months later, the couple were granted a divorce, with Chantelle admitting the whole affair may have been "a sham".
Sir Alan Sugar can usually sniff out a good business deal within a few seconds, but he failed to spot a blossoming romance in his boardroom back in 2006. Hull-born Michelle Dewberry and Bethnal Green blagger Syed Ahmed seemed like an unlikely couple, but after the series ended their romance was revealed to the nation. Was it Syed's slippery boardroom tactics, smooth-talking sales or his cock-up with 100 chickens that appealed to Dewberry? Perhaps we'll never know.
Bubbly Geordie Michelle Bass and shy student Stuart Wilson spent most of their Big Brother experience flirting, exchanging longing glances and getting jealous about "nekkid jacuzzis". Michelle would go on to be an adult TV presenter and part ways with her "chicken", but they can still lay claim to being the first couple to have had a fumble on live UK TV. It was never clear what went on under the infamous kitchen table, but it didn't sound like they were discussing soft furnishings.
Helen "I love blinking" Adams and Paul Clarke's slow-burn affair on Big Brother 2 is often seen as the blueprint for reality TV romances. The Newport hairdresser was slowly wooed by Clarke, despite already being in a romance with some chap outside the house called "Big G". After leaving the show, the pair proved that their feelings were genuine, enjoying a five-year romance in Barnet, North London. The couple's love-in lasted longer than nearly all the BB romances since combined!
When washed-up Aussie pop flop Peter Andre turned up in the jungle in 2004, there was no reason to suspect he wouldn't go the same way as Lord Brocket, Alex Best and Diane Modahl into obscurity. Most viewers thought Andre's attempts to court the attentions of busty Jordan were as futile as his bash at a music revival with 'Insania'. Little did we know, five years later the pairing would still be very much in love with a seemingly endless string of TV deals. We credit it all to Peter's "Sky+ remote" sized willy.
Were these your favourite reality TV romances? Leave your alternative suggestions in the usual slot below!
