Life thru a lens

He also warns that the show could push a relationship to breaking point: ‘Being in such an intense situation can bring things like romantic relationships to a head, especially if the person outside is seeing a different side to their partner for the first time.’

In the UK's Big Brother 2, Bubble's relationship hit the rocks after he discovered – via the press –that his girlfriend had cheated on him while he was in the house.Helen's relationship with boyfriend Gavin ‘Big G’ Cox was also doomed after her constant flirtation with fellow contestant Paul. The two shared a romantic dinner, spent the night together alone in the den and cuddled under the duvet in full view of millions, including Big G. Paul and Helen started dating after the show. In the US one of the contestants also filed for divorce after a marriage break-up caused by the show.

Many would agree that in both the US and UK the most interesting and eccentric contestants have been the first to go. And even those who are used to the spotlight have cracked under the pressure.During her stint in the house for Celebrity Big Brother, Vanessa Feltz said: ‘I really don't think I can endure the mass humiliation of everyone hating me so much,’ and Anthea Turner looked like her world had collapsed when she was faced with the prospect of eviction. Dr Lloyd-Elliott says: ‘Most people who go into the shows want to be famous but they may not always react how they expect to.’