Years of crash diets left me infertile, says reality TV star Chantelle Houghton

By Sara Nathan


The perils of dieting: Chantelle Houghton has revealed that years of trying to stay slim may have left her infertile


A reality TV star has told how the pressure to stay slim has left her infertile at 2.

Chantelle Houghton, winner of Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, said doctors have informed her she will never be able to conceive naturally because of her extreme eating patterns.

She was the first ‘non-celebrity’ to feature in the Channel 4 reality TV show and found her showbusiness lifestyle after her appearance difficult.


Miss Houghton said: ‘I’ve punished my body, and now it’s punishing me. Ultimately it’s my fault. I hate myself and can never forgive myself.

‘Because of my obsession with food and my crash dieting when I had bulimia, I’ve ruined my chances of having a baby naturally.

‘All the time I was making myself sick, I was thinking: “Yes, I’m getting skinnier.” I thought I was winning, but I was losing. It’s cost me the chance of a family.’

Upset: Chantelle buries her head in her hands as she thinks about the fact she might not be able to have her own family biologically


Miss Houghton has told how she struggled with bulimia from the age of 14.

At one point, she revealed that she drank up to eight 1.5 litre bottles of water a day to fill her stomach and that her periods once stopped for a year.

In the wake of her split from musician husband Samuel Preston in 2007, the 5ft7in star’s weight plummeted to just eight stone.

Later, in 2009, she admitted: ‘It’s a constant battle with my weight, and I’ll always have an issue with it.

‘I have tried every diet there is, from body wraps and the Special K diet to just drinking water, but I know I have to eat healthily and go to the gym, because that’s the only thing that works.’

She added that, at her thinnest: ‘I was making myself sick a lot, so food was just coming straight back out of me. I was obsessed from the minute I woke up in the morning until the minute I went to bed.

‘I was constantly watching what I was eating.’

But Miss Houghton has only recently been told of the damage she was doing to her body after going to the doctor complaining of stomach pain.

She told Heat magazine that she visited fertility expert Dr Amin Gorgy.

She said: ‘He told me that I’d never be able to conceive naturally. Dr Gorgy told me that I had low fertility and that if I wanted to have a baby, I’d have to have IVF.

‘He said that if I’d waited another three years, I would never be able to have children at all. I wouldn’t have any eggs left.’

Miss Houghton hopes her experience will warn other women of the effect that eating disorders and extreme dieting can have on their fertility.

She added: ‘I hope they’ll see what’s happened to me and realise what they’re doing – the long-term effects. I’m 27 and I can’t have children naturally. Being stick-thin – is it worth that?’

The revelation of the damage Miss Houghton’s extreme eating habits have done to her body comes just days after it emerged that ‘aquaholic’ Nigella Lawson has been warned repeatedly about the health risks of her excessive water drinking by family doctor Peter Wheeler.

Miss Lawson’s brother Dominic wrote in the Sunday Times: ‘Nigella admits to being an “aquaholic”: it really is true that those who habitually drink many litres a day suffer the sensation of being thirsty, even when they are more than fully hydrated.’

For the full interview with Miss Houghton see the latest edition of Heat magazine.


source:dailymail

Years of crash diets left me infertile, says reality TV star Chantelle Houghton

By Sara Nathan


The perils of dieting: Chantelle Houghton has revealed that years of trying to stay slim may have left her infertile


A reality TV star has told how the pressure to stay slim has left her infertile at 2.

Chantelle Houghton, winner of Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, said doctors have informed her she will never be able to conceive naturally because of her extreme eating patterns.

She was the first ‘non-celebrity’ to feature in the Channel 4 reality TV show and found her showbusiness lifestyle after her appearance difficult.


Miss Houghton said: ‘I’ve punished my body, and now it’s punishing me. Ultimately it’s my fault. I hate myself and can never forgive myself.

‘Because of my obsession with food and my crash dieting when I had bulimia, I’ve ruined my chances of having a baby naturally.

‘All the time I was making myself sick, I was thinking: “Yes, I’m getting skinnier.” I thought I was winning, but I was losing. It’s cost me the chance of a family.’

Upset: Chantelle buries her head in her hands as she thinks about the fact she might not be able to have her own family biologically


Miss Houghton has told how she struggled with bulimia from the age of 14.

At one point, she revealed that she drank up to eight 1.5 litre bottles of water a day to fill her stomach and that her periods once stopped for a year.

In the wake of her split from musician husband Samuel Preston in 2007, the 5ft7in star’s weight plummeted to just eight stone.

Later, in 2009, she admitted: ‘It’s a constant battle with my weight, and I’ll always have an issue with it.

‘I have tried every diet there is, from body wraps and the Special K diet to just drinking water, but I know I have to eat healthily and go to the gym, because that’s the only thing that works.’

She added that, at her thinnest: ‘I was making myself sick a lot, so food was just coming straight back out of me. I was obsessed from the minute I woke up in the morning until the minute I went to bed.

‘I was constantly watching what I was eating.’

But Miss Houghton has only recently been told of the damage she was doing to her body after going to the doctor complaining of stomach pain.

She told Heat magazine that she visited fertility expert Dr Amin Gorgy.

She said: ‘He told me that I’d never be able to conceive naturally. Dr Gorgy told me that I had low fertility and that if I wanted to have a baby, I’d have to have IVF.

‘He said that if I’d waited another three years, I would never be able to have children at all. I wouldn’t have any eggs left.’

Miss Houghton hopes her experience will warn other women of the effect that eating disorders and extreme dieting can have on their fertility.

She added: ‘I hope they’ll see what’s happened to me and realise what they’re doing – the long-term effects. I’m 27 and I can’t have children naturally. Being stick-thin – is it worth that?’

The revelation of the damage Miss Houghton’s extreme eating habits have done to her body comes just days after it emerged that ‘aquaholic’ Nigella Lawson has been warned repeatedly about the health risks of her excessive water drinking by family doctor Peter Wheeler.

Miss Lawson’s brother Dominic wrote in the Sunday Times: ‘Nigella admits to being an “aquaholic”: it really is true that those who habitually drink many litres a day suffer the sensation of being thirsty, even when they are more than fully hydrated.’

For the full interview with Miss Houghton see the latest edition of Heat magazine.


source:dailymail

'It's nice to be with someone who's a real lady': Alex Reid on moving on from Katie with new girlfriend Chantelle Houghton

-Says Katie's claim she never loved him was like 'a knife to the heart'
-Believes his marriage cost him his 'credibility as a serious actor and athlete'

By Daily Mail Reporter


I'm free! Alex Reid says he is enjoying being with 'a real lady' (Chantelle Houghton) following his split from Katie Price


Alex Reid admits that his ex Katie Price's revelation last week that she never really loved him was like 'a knife to the heart.'

But despite being hurt by his estranged wife's churlish words, the cage fighter and reality star insists he has moved on, and is enjoying his new romance with Chantelle Houghton.

And in a thinly-veiled dig at Price, Alex, 35, says his favourite thing about the Celebrity Big Brother winner is that she is 'a real lady.'


In an interview with this week's new! magazine, Alex says: 'The great thing about her is that she’s so feminine, a real lady.

He quips: 'It’s nice to be with someone who’s a real lady - is that a little dig?'

'She really is just so sweet, so girly. I’m cheeky. I’m like a little kid and I play around, [I make] little bum jokes. I tone that down a bit. She’s not a prude, she’ll find it funny, but I want to be a gentleman.'

On the rebound: Alex and Chantelle hit it off in April shortly after her split from Rav Wilding


The new couple hit it off when they sat together on a flight to Northern Ireland for the Fate Awards in April.

Reid admits he got to know Chantelle through her ex Rav Wilding, an acquaintance of his.

But following her split from the Crimewatch presenter, she began flirting with Alex at the Fate Awards ceremony and they shared a kiss.

Reid says they are taking things slow and joke that they are both on the rebound.

He also tells the magazine that he discouraged by the knowledge that their relationship may be viewed as a 'showmance.'

'What put me off was that it was going to be considered that sort of stuff. And I thought, "'Screw that. I'm going to live my life."'

And while he is moving on with Chantelle, 27, Alex says Katie still plays on his mind.

'She’ll always have a special place in my heart. I would have given my life for her. I am a romantic for better or for worse, so yeah, that hurts.

'I wish it had worked out. It’s sad because I was fighting the whole way to save it. It wasn’t my choice [to split].'

Reid says that Katie's revelation in an OK magazine interview last week that she never truly loved her him was 'like a knife to the heart. She says we're still friends, but a friend wouldn't say something like that.'

Moving on: Reid admits ex Katie Price's revelation last week that she never loved him was like 'a knife to the heart'


He adds: 'I got my first big TV show a week before I met Katie. Being with her was brilliant. It opened so many doors. It got me put on the map, even though I’d been working for 20-plus years in showbiz.

'But she also closed many doors. My credibility as an athlete, as a serious actor. I married into that. And that was one thing I was worried about with Chantelle. [But] she’s actually a lovely girl.'


source:dailymail

'It's nice to be with someone who's a real lady': Alex Reid on moving on from Katie with new girlfriend Chantelle Houghton

-Says Katie's claim she never loved him was like 'a knife to the heart'
-Believes his marriage cost him his 'credibility as a serious actor and athlete'

By Daily Mail Reporter


I'm free! Alex Reid says he is enjoying being with 'a real lady' (Chantelle Houghton) following his split from Katie Price


Alex Reid admits that his ex Katie Price's revelation last week that she never really loved him was like 'a knife to the heart.'

But despite being hurt by his estranged wife's churlish words, the cage fighter and reality star insists he has moved on, and is enjoying his new romance with Chantelle Houghton.

And in a thinly-veiled dig at Price, Alex, 35, says his favourite thing about the Celebrity Big Brother winner is that she is 'a real lady.'


In an interview with this week's new! magazine, Alex says: 'The great thing about her is that she’s so feminine, a real lady.

He quips: 'It’s nice to be with someone who’s a real lady - is that a little dig?'

'She really is just so sweet, so girly. I’m cheeky. I’m like a little kid and I play around, [I make] little bum jokes. I tone that down a bit. She’s not a prude, she’ll find it funny, but I want to be a gentleman.'

On the rebound: Alex and Chantelle hit it off in April shortly after her split from Rav Wilding


The new couple hit it off when they sat together on a flight to Northern Ireland for the Fate Awards in April.

Reid admits he got to know Chantelle through her ex Rav Wilding, an acquaintance of his.

But following her split from the Crimewatch presenter, she began flirting with Alex at the Fate Awards ceremony and they shared a kiss.

Reid says they are taking things slow and joke that they are both on the rebound.

He also tells the magazine that he discouraged by the knowledge that their relationship may be viewed as a 'showmance.'

'What put me off was that it was going to be considered that sort of stuff. And I thought, "'Screw that. I'm going to live my life."'

And while he is moving on with Chantelle, 27, Alex says Katie still plays on his mind.

'She’ll always have a special place in my heart. I would have given my life for her. I am a romantic for better or for worse, so yeah, that hurts.

'I wish it had worked out. It’s sad because I was fighting the whole way to save it. It wasn’t my choice [to split].'

Reid says that Katie's revelation in an OK magazine interview last week that she never truly loved her him was 'like a knife to the heart. She says we're still friends, but a friend wouldn't say something like that.'

Moving on: Reid admits ex Katie Price's revelation last week that she never loved him was like 'a knife to the heart'


He adds: 'I got my first big TV show a week before I met Katie. Being with her was brilliant. It opened so many doors. It got me put on the map, even though I’d been working for 20-plus years in showbiz.

'But she also closed many doors. My credibility as an athlete, as a serious actor. I married into that. And that was one thing I was worried about with Chantelle. [But] she’s actually a lovely girl.'


source:dailymail

What showmance? Alex Reid and Chantelle Houghton attempt to silence doubters with loved-up display at DVD launch

By Sarah Bull


Loved-up: Alex Reid and Chantelle Houghton attempted to dispel showmance rumours about their relationship with a loved-up display at The Fighter DVD launch


They've been accused of putting on a 'showmance' to increase their public profiles.

But last night Alex Reid and Chantelle Houghton attempted to silence their critics with a very loved-up public display at the DVD launch of Mark Wahlberg's movie The Fighter.

Chantelle, 27, and 35-year-old Alex kissed and cuddled for photographers as they posed at the event, held at London's York Hall.


The pair even colour-coordinated their outfits, with Chantelle opting for a black vest top and white jacket, while Alex went for a black and white pinstriped suit.

Chantelle and Alex have also been trying to validate their relationship with some flirting on Twitter.

After Chantelle's PETA photocall outside the Houses of Parliament earlier this week, which saw the former Big Brother star dress up as a sexy tiger, Alex tweeted her: 'Well done for today babe. Wanna get with me in a cage? X'

Chantelle later replied: 'Aww thanks baby! erm...ok! haha. mwah X'

We're so in love: The pair even colour co-ordinated their outfits for the occasion


The couple were recently seen enjoying a luxury spa break at the five-star spa The Grove in Hertfordshire where they apparently 'got to know each other better.'

A friend of the cagefighter told new! magazine: 'No one knew they were disappearing off to the country.

'It was all very Bridget Jones’ Diary. They spent the weekend in their dressing gowns, and let’s just say they made the most of their hotel room!'

The pair have been romantically linked since they were spotted kissing at an awards show in Scotland in May, before apparently going to Reid's hotel room afterwards.

An onlooker said: 'They just could not keep their hands off each other. Alex was pawing at her and she was enjoying every minute of it.

'He bit playfully at her bottom and grabbed her face before they began kissing.'

It's rumoured that the pair were seen looking intimate with each other at a party in April, just two days before Houghton was seen having a blazing row with former boyfriend Rav Wilding in a west London park.

The 33-year-old Crimewatch star dumped her immediately afterwards.

While Reid is in the process of divorcing estranged wife Katie Price, Houghton has been divorced from ex-husband Samuel Preston for four years.

She met the former Ordinary Boys frontman while they were both starring in the 2006 series of Celebrity Big Brother, which she went on to win.

Close: The couple held hands as they left the party at London's York Hall

Moving on: Chantelle and Alex's apparent romance comes a few months after they split from their respective exes Rav Wilding and Katie Price


source:dailymail

Chantelle Houghton puts on brave face after Rav split as she launches boutique... but she can't raise a smile for photographers

By Sarah Bull


Subdued: Chantelle Houghton can't raise a smile as she launches her new clothing boutique in Buckhurst Hill, Essex


She arrived in a horse-drawn carriage wearing a stunning plunging black dress which showed ex-boyfriend Rav Wilding exactly what he's missing.

But newly-single Chantelle Houghton failed to raise a smile for photographers as she posed at the launch of her very own boutique, Vardo by Chantelle, in Essex.

And the reason for the former Big Brother star's unusually subdued appearance is more than likely to be down to her recent split from Crimewatch presenter Rav.

Who are your friends? Chantelle poses with a horse-drawn carriage after arriving at the launch in a stunning black gown


The pair split earlier this week after they were seen having a furious argument in London's Richmond Park over the weekend.

Following the break-up, Rav tweeted: 'Wanted to clarify situation after speculation 2day. Sadly Chantelle & I are no longer in a relationship as I’ve had to draw a line under it.

'It’s been a really difficult week and a lot has gone on, & I appreciate everyone’s kind words. The relationship wasn't what I wanted so badly and wasn’t the genuine thing I thought it was.

Cheer up! It seems Chantelle is struggling to cope following her split from Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding

Arriving in style: Chantelle was driven to the launch in a carriage pulled by horses with feathered headdresses


'It's so upsetting as I genuinely & truly loved Chantelle, but the publicity side isn'’t always reflective of the truth. All I ask is that you don’'t believe everything that’s written, and thanks again to everyone who'’s been in touch – means a lot x'

Chantelle was pictured in tears after Rav lost his temper with her during what was supposed to have been a romantic picnic in the park.

However, Chantelle has remained resolutely silent about the split, tweeting fans only to reassure them she was coping after the split.

Smile for the cameras! The Only Way Is Essex star Maria Fowler dressed in Forever Unique frock and beamed for photographers but Chantelle remained stony-faced


And pose: Both the girls show off their red carpet posing skills outside the shop in Essex


She wrote on her Twitter page: 'Had an awful week thanks for all ur support x'

Shortly before the split, Chantelle spoke candidly about her relationship with Rav, admitting she struggles to cope with the frequent arguments the couple had.

She said: 'We have little rows - Rav finds it really hard that I've been married before. It doesn't anger me but I don't like someone wanting to change my past because I wouldn't change it for anything - I don't regret any of it.'

Drama: Chantelle was left in floods of tears after an argument with Rav Wilding last weekend

Split: Shortly after the public row, Rav announced the couple had parted ways on his Twitter page


Vardo by Chantelle is the star's first clothing boutique and is situated in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

Talking about the new venture, Chantelle said: 'I’m looking to sell beautiful clothes to ladies that want to look glamorous, whatever their age.'

Also at the launch last night was The Only Way Is Essex star Maria Fowler, who looked pretty in a black and white floaty dress by Forever Unique and matching heels.

Vardo Boutique will be selling a range of men's and women's clothing, jewellery and accessories including labels such as Forever Unique and Arrogant Cat.



source:dailymail

Chantelle Houghton puts on brave face after Rav split as she launches boutique... but she can't raise a smile for photographers

By Sarah Bull


Subdued: Chantelle Houghton can't raise a smile as she launches her new clothing boutique in Buckhurst Hill, Essex


She arrived in a horse-drawn carriage wearing a stunning plunging black dress which showed ex-boyfriend Rav Wilding exactly what he's missing.

But newly-single Chantelle Houghton failed to raise a smile for photographers as she posed at the launch of her very own boutique, Vardo by Chantelle, in Essex.

And the reason for the former Big Brother star's unusually subdued appearance is more than likely to be down to her recent split from Crimewatch presenter Rav.

Who are your friends? Chantelle poses with a horse-drawn carriage after arriving at the launch in a stunning black gown


The pair split earlier this week after they were seen having a furious argument in London's Richmond Park over the weekend.

Following the break-up, Rav tweeted: 'Wanted to clarify situation after speculation 2day. Sadly Chantelle & I are no longer in a relationship as I’ve had to draw a line under it.

'It’s been a really difficult week and a lot has gone on, & I appreciate everyone’s kind words. The relationship wasn't what I wanted so badly and wasn’t the genuine thing I thought it was.

Cheer up! It seems Chantelle is struggling to cope following her split from Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding

Arriving in style: Chantelle was driven to the launch in a carriage pulled by horses with feathered headdresses


'It's so upsetting as I genuinely & truly loved Chantelle, but the publicity side isn'’t always reflective of the truth. All I ask is that you don’'t believe everything that’s written, and thanks again to everyone who'’s been in touch – means a lot x'

Chantelle was pictured in tears after Rav lost his temper with her during what was supposed to have been a romantic picnic in the park.

However, Chantelle has remained resolutely silent about the split, tweeting fans only to reassure them she was coping after the split.

Smile for the cameras! The Only Way Is Essex star Maria Fowler dressed in Forever Unique frock and beamed for photographers but Chantelle remained stony-faced


And pose: Both the girls show off their red carpet posing skills outside the shop in Essex


She wrote on her Twitter page: 'Had an awful week thanks for all ur support x'

Shortly before the split, Chantelle spoke candidly about her relationship with Rav, admitting she struggles to cope with the frequent arguments the couple had.

She said: 'We have little rows - Rav finds it really hard that I've been married before. It doesn't anger me but I don't like someone wanting to change my past because I wouldn't change it for anything - I don't regret any of it.'

Drama: Chantelle was left in floods of tears after an argument with Rav Wilding last weekend

Split: Shortly after the public row, Rav announced the couple had parted ways on his Twitter page


Vardo by Chantelle is the star's first clothing boutique and is situated in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

Talking about the new venture, Chantelle said: 'I’m looking to sell beautiful clothes to ladies that want to look glamorous, whatever their age.'

Also at the launch last night was The Only Way Is Essex star Maria Fowler, who looked pretty in a black and white floaty dress by Forever Unique and matching heels.

Vardo Boutique will be selling a range of men's and women's clothing, jewellery and accessories including labels such as Forever Unique and Arrogant Cat.



source:dailymail

Chantelle Houghton flies out of the country after furious row

By SARAH FITZMAURICE and JODY THOMPSON

Unhappy ending: What had started as a romantic picnic in London's Richmond Park turned into a huge tear-filled argument for Chantelle Houghton and her Crimewatch presenter boyfriend Rav Wilding


Love's young dream appears to be lying rather wounded in the grass after Chantelle Houghton flew out the country yesterday following a furious public row with her Crimewatch presenter boyfriend Rav Wilding.

Chantelle was left humiliated and in floods of tears after Rav laid into her during what was supposed to be a romantic picnic in London's Richmond Park.

The mood turned sour between the pair, who have been dating since October, when Chantelle said something that sent her TV star boyfriend into an angry rage – leaving the Big Brother contestant in floods of tears.

And yesterday, it looked like Chantelle had fled the country as she was spotted at Heathrow looking glum towing her suitcase behind her.


Upset: The Celebrity Big Brother winner seemed pained when Rav went to touch her during their row


In a cruelly ironic twist, just before what was meant to be their idyllic tryst in the park last week, former police officer Rav had written on his official Twitter account:'Morning! Off to town for meetings and then to meet the girl. I predict a good day.. Enjoy yours! X'

But since then, the usually prolific Tweeters have been strangely silent on both of their accounts.

There was no reply from Chantelle's PR to a message from Mail Online asking where the star was heading or whether she was still romantically involved with Rav.


Get away: A sad-looking Chantelle was seen at Heathrow yesterday before she flew to a mystery destination


Chantelle, 27, and Rav, 33, had shared a bottle of champagne before the bust-up as they lounged on the grass.

The Crimewatch host then got to his feet in a rage and began shouting as Chantelle began to well up.

An on-looker told The People: ‘The two were having an almighty row. She looked absolutely shocked as he pointed at her and even grabbed her arm.’

‘He looked furious. He was shouting at her and jabbing his finger.’


It had started so well: At the start of their al fresco date, the pair had looked loved up and hugged and kissed


Passionate: Rav and Chantelle shared a bottle of champagne and looked happy as they lounged on the grass



Was it something she said? Rav's face looks confused as he pulls away from a kiss before the mood turns sour


But as the couple chatted together the mood soon changed and Rav’s face displayed a look of

Chantelle was left in tears and after Rav had finished shouting she got up and stormed off back to her car.

Rav followed her and the pair continued to argue as they stood next to her Audi TT.

The argument comes just days after Chantelle revealed she thought that the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant was going to propose during a weekend break at a spa.


Finger of accusation: Rav made his point as he continued to rant at Chantelle


She said: ‘I went really hot and my heart started beating and I couldn't speak - but he didn't (propose).'

Chantelle and Rav confirmed they were dating in December last year after meeting in October and have gushed about their relationship in several magazine interviews.

But it seems that all isn’t well with the couple and Chantelle has admitted that Rav finds it hard that she has been married before.


Had enough: Reality TV star Chantelle appears to strop off as Rav looks on upset


Poles apart: The pair look lost in their own thoughts as they leave what was meant to be a romantic picnic but descended into a row


Chantelle met her ex-husband Preston of Ordinary Boys fame on Celebrity Big Brother and they married in August 2006 only to split 10 months later.

Talking about her relationship with Rav she said: ‘We have little rows - Rav finds it really hard that I've been married before.’


Parting not the sweetest sorrow: The pair certainly didn't appear to be on the best of terms before they got in the car to drive off


Love hurts: The pair look daggers at each other as the drizzle begins to fall and quite literally put a dampener on their day out


'It doesn't anger me but I don't like someone wanting to change my past because I wouldn't change it for anything - I don't regret any of it.'

'I don't think Rav wants to acknowledge it, but what went on between me and Preston is important,' she added.


source: dailymail