EXCLUSIVE: Donna Preston was a firm favourite on last year’s Celebrity Big Brother, but the actress and comedian has now opened up about a very different side to her reality TV experience
Donna has just started filming a new BBC comedy(Image: Channel 4)
Donna Preston breezed her way to the Celebrity Big Brother final last year, winning the nation over with her endless warmth and quick wit. But the actress and comedian has now revealed that behind the scenes, her time in the house got off to a much more dramatic start than viewers may ever have realised.
“When I did Big Brother, I had a bit of a meltdown the night before, and welfare were incredible,” she says. “Probably like 12 people – the whole team – came into my room, we all sat on the bed, and we all had a little chat. It was lovely – they were absolutely gorgeous.”
Donna – who came fourth on the show and was joined by the likes of Trisha Goddard, Chris Hughes, JoJo Siwa, Patsy Palmer and Jack P Shepherd, who went on to win – adds, “Honestly, they were fantastic, and I’m still friends with them all now.”
The emotional event was triggered by the sheer scale of the show and a serious case of homesickness. “I just think I was a little bit overwhelmed. It’s a huge show to do,” she says. “And ultimately I was missing my cat. I know it sounds daft, but I love my cat [Mr Bigs]!
“I thought I’d only stay in there for a week and I’d be back with Mr Bigs. Then obviously I stayed the whole duration, which was great, because I knew I had wonderful friends to look after him.”
Reality TV’s duty of care is facing more intense scrutiny than ever recently after a BBC Panorama investigation in May saw three former Married At First Sight UK brides allege sexual assault by their on-screen husbands – claims the men have strongly denied. This has prompted Channel 4 to pull all past series and launch a review into how it protects its participants.
Luckily for the 40-year-old star, who’s also starred in Celebs Go Dating, her own experiences in the industry have been mostly positive.
“I feel like I’ve been very fortunate with my shows. Welfare have always been amazing,” she tell us. “Always, before a [reality] show, we’ll have a psych test, and welfare will contact us. The follow-up afterwards has been amazing as well.”
Far from being put off by the pressures that can come with reality TV, the self confessed Big Brother superfan would happily do more. “You’ve just got to have fun in life,” she beams. “I think you should just say yes to everything.
“There are a couple of shows that I really want to do, and I hope that I will get the opportunity before – and if – they ever end. So never say never.”
Despite having a string of acting credits under her belt, including The Sandman and Good Omens with David Tennant and Michael Sheen, for several reasons, Strictly Come Dancing is top of Donna’s wish list.
Speaking to us at the Fragrance Foundation UK Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, she says, “The costumes are just incredible. I would love to be in the tights, showing off the thighs and body confidence, proving that a plus-size woman can move as well and look good.
“I’m not saying that I can move – I’d obviously get the training. But I just love everything about the sparkles. I’m like a magpie to all the sequins, the feathers and all the tassels.”
For Donna, who hails from York, taking part in Strictly would also be a chance to show viewers at home that people of all shapes, sizes and abilities can give it a go. “I think representation on reality TV has improved over the years. There’s lots of diversity now on Strictly , which is wonderful.
“That’s definitely what we need to keep seeing on TV. But there’s always room for improvement – like with anything. But it’s really good that we’re getting there. It is changing.”
She refers to the “wonderful” and “absolutely stunning” comedian Jayde Adams, 41, who wowed Strictly fans back in 2022 as she took to the dance floor with professional dancer Karen Hauer.
Their Cha Cha Cha to Flashdance ’s What A Feeling – performed in matching leotards to show dancing is for every body shape – left then-judge Motsi Mabuse in tears and became one of the year’s most talked-about moments.
“She was great! And she looked great in all the outfits and really had lots of fun,” Donna reflects. “And it’s the amazing choreographers as well, giving us that confidence on the dance floor.”
It’s her infectious, fun-loving attitude that keeps Donna in such demand – and there’s no sign of slowing down for her any time soon.
The star has just started filming a new BBC comedy, which she can’t yet reveal, and there’s a movie on the horizon, too.
“I can’t say any more about it,” she teases, “but I’m very, very excited.”
With her keen eye for a sparkly opportunity and her go-getter attitude, it probably won’t be long before we see Donna twirling under those Strictly lights.
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