YOU really couldn’t make it up: Chantelle, the nobody who managed to convince the other Celebrity Big Brother contestants that she really was a somebody, survived last night to win the Channel 4 reality TV show.

The previously unknown Chantelle Houghton, 22, proved more endearing to viewers than well-known contestants such as the disgraced entertainer Michael Barrymore, the pop star Pete Burns and the MP George Galloway.

After the other contestants were evicted one by one, only she and Barrymore remained and she seemed hardly able to believe her ears as the host Davina McCall announced her name. She wiped away tears and hugged Barrymore. “Oh my God, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what to say,” she exclaimed.

Chantelle had been installed as favourite to win by bookmakers, who faced significant payouts. In the final vote, 56.4 per cent backed Chantelle, while 43.6 per cent opted for Barrymore.

Before entering Celebrity Big Brother Chantelle worked as a temp and a lookalike for Paris Hilton, the American hotel heiress and celebrity. McCall told Chantelle that because she was a non-celebrity she would receive a £25,000 prize. Chantelle has now been signed up by the PR consultant Max Clifford.

Barrymore, 53, was cheered loudly as he left the house. He hugged McCall before breaking down in tears.

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