She shot to fame as a fan favorite housemate in the second series of Big Brother.
But Helen Adams is living a very different life 22 years after starring in the hit reality show.
The BB icon, now 45, was spotted this week in her home city of Bristol, where she works as a hairdresser.
Helen was just 22 years old when she took part in the second series of Big Brother in 2001, and quickly became one of the favorites to win due to her lovable and ditsy character.
She became famous for her iconic comment: “I like blinking, I really do.”
Icon: She rose to fame as a fan favorite housemate in the second series of Big Brother. But Helen Adams is living a very different life 22 years after starring in the hit reality show
Loved:Helen was just 22 years old when she took part in the second series of Big Brother and quickly became one of the favorites to win thanks to her lovable and playful nature (pictured in 2001)
It is thought that, in addition to moving to Bristol to work in the hairdressing industry, Helen has since married and now has a daughter.
Helen and Paul Clarke captivated the world with their blossoming romance during their time in the Big Brother house in 2001.
Reaching the final, Helen finished in second place behind winner Brian Dowling, and was seen outside the house hugging and reuniting with Paul.
As one of the show’s original lovebirds, the couple rose to fame and had a successful relationship for five years.
Helen made a string of TV appearances on shows including Loose Women, GMTV and Ready, Steady Cook before she and Paul split in 2006.
The couple blamed the pressures of fame for their split, with Paul telling Heat Magazine at the time: ‘For the past five years people have asked me every day ‘how is Helen?’ When are you getting married?” and I’ve never met these people in my life. It starts to exhaust you.
“It’s not that I don’t like talking about Helen, I just wanted to get away from it all and be a private person again.”
Helen added: ‘I felt like the wicked witch because I was the first to say something. But then Paul said to me, ‘Would you marry me?’ and I said, ‘I don’t think I would,’ and he said, ‘Well, I don’t want to marry you either. ”. And we laughed.
Reality show star: The BB icon, now 45, was spotted this week in her home city of Bristol, where she works as a hairdresser
A look back: Big Brother alum Helen and Paul Clarke captivated the world with their blossoming romance in 2001
Old flame: Viewers were also captivated by Helen’s blossoming romance with housemate Paul Clarke, with the pair dating for five years before splitting in 2006
After media pressure led to their breakup, Paul stepped away from the spotlight and built a successful career in automotive design.
Now in his mid-forties, Paul, who lives in Buckinghamshire, eventually left his bosses to set up his own business, where he has worked as an independent consultant since 2019.
He describes himself as a ‘passionate, forward-thinking individual’ on his LinkedIn and says he is ‘a driving leader in challenging and developing people to be the best they can be and make a difference every day.
Big Brother returned to television this autumn and is currently broadcast every night on ITV2.