TV
Feature: Top five reality TV romances
Published Wednesday, Apr 1 2009, 06:04 BST | By Alex Fletcher | 4 comments
The first ever Digital Spy Reality TV Awards take place in London next Monday. Celebrating the best and worst moments of reality TV over the past 12 months, it promises to be a celeb-packed event. As a warm up for the red carpet bash, DS will be trawling through our archives to pick out our all-time reality TV highlights. First up, we have the top five reality TV romances. Blossoming in Sir Alan's boardroom, the BB bedroom and even in the jungle, they have always kept us glued to our screens over the years. Sadly Kinga and her bottle of Pinot Grigio didn't make the cut!
5. Preston & Chantelle in Celeb BB
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".
4. Syed and Michelle in The Boardroom
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.
3. Michelle & Stu under the kitchen table
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.
2. Helen & Paul in the BB House
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!
1. Peter & Jordan in The Jungle
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!
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!
More: TV, Reality TV Awards 2009
Your Views
4 Comments
Your Responses
Carol from Kent, on April 2nd, 2009
Michelle and Stu are the only genuine reality tv couple. Hope it is good news for Michelle.
Michelle and Stu are the only genuine reality tv couple. Hope it is good news for Michelle.
Jackie from Ireland, on April 1st, 2009
Michelle & Stu were my favourite reality tv romance. They made my summer that year watching them falling in love. I was very upset to hear about Michelle and her cancer scare, I really hope she will get the all clear.
Michelle & Stu were my favourite reality tv romance. They made my summer that year watching them falling in love. I was very upset to hear about Michelle and her cancer scare, I really hope she will get the all clear.
Hannah, Warrington, on April 1st, 2009
Grace and Mikey from BB so should have been in hear instead! x
Grace and Mikey from BB so should have been in hear instead! x
Tube Talk
'Skins': Ten teasers about 'Mini'Find out what you can expect to see in next week's Mini-centric episode of Skins.
TV Interviews
'Upstairs Downstairs' Neil Jackson Q&ANeil Jackson chats to Digital Spy about Upstairs Downstairs series two.
Reality Bites
'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' returns: ReviewReality Bites's verdict on the return of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
TV Ratings
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings takes nearly 4mThe return of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings draws more than 4.8 million viewers.
luke and bex from big brother 9 just had their 8 month anniversary they are the funniest couple