BB winner Pete regrets shunning spotlight

Pete Bennett has admitted that he regrets shunning the spotlight after winning Big Brother 7.

Bennett revealed that he did not make the most of his fame after he left the house in 2006 as the most popular contestant of the series.

"I turned down party invites so I could concentrate on my music career," Pete told Take 5 magazine. "I regret that a bit now. I'd quite like to be on TV doing loads of mad stuff."

Pete fell for fellow housemate Nikki Grahame in the house, but their relationship only lasted for a month on the outside world.

"She's great. I'm still mates with her," he explained. "She rang me the other day from Spain, on holiday with her mate Chantelle Houghton. They were both a bit drunk and kept telling me how lovely I was!"

Asked why their relationship ended, Pete replied: "We didn't have much to talk about. Nikki just talked at me."