Chantelle and Preston reunited
Big Brother divorcees Chantelle Houghton and Preston have been reunited as they joined the star line-up for the final series.
The couple, who met on the celebrity version of the show and married after a whirlwind romance, were among 11 contestants who joined Ultimate Big Brother on Tuesday night.
The show kicked off just moments after the winner of Big Brother 11 was announced, with victor Josie shocked to learn she was being thrown straight into another series.
Chantelle and Preston, who split after just nine months of marriage, were often said to be on the verge of rekindling their love and remained on good terms despite the end of their relationship. When the pair saw each other they smiled and hugged.
"You look so much shorter," Chantelle said. "Do you come here often?" Preston joked.
Other housemates in the series - which will run for 18 days before the reality show leaves Channel 4 for good - include CBB champion Ulrika Jonsson, past winner Brian Dowling, rapper Coolio and racing pundit John McCririck.
Sparks could fly with the reunion of Coolio and Jonsson who were noted for their fractious relationship when they appeared together in Celebrity Big Brother 6 last year. McCririck's inclusion could also prove explosive after he rubbed a number of housemates up the wrong way during his previous appearance.
Also joining the last hurrah was anti-hero "nasty" Nick Bateman who notably became the first person to be kicked out of the show during the first series in 2000 after trying to influence nominations.
Completing the group were Makosi Musambasi, sex-change Big Brother 5 winner Nadia Almada and Nikki Grahame.
Josie, who won the series with 77.5% of the public vote, scooped the £100,000 prize money and a chance to compete in the final run.
