Swindon's Melinda Messenger Takes Part in Celebrity Big Brother 

In da House: Swindon's Melinda Messenger © Channel 4

Swindon's golden girl, Melinda Messenger, has finished third in the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother, just behind fellow finalists Les Dennis and winner, Mark Owen.

Having survived being nominated for eviction throughout the previous ten days of the programme, Melinda was first of the last three survivors to be shown the door and left the house to rapturous applause and a big hug from her husband, Wayne.

Commenting on her experience, Melinda said: "It has been absolutely fascinating. I've had a lot of fun and made some realy good friends.

"I've also missed my family more than words can say, so I'm looking forward to coming home to Swindon and getting back to normality with Wayne and the boys."

The Channel 4 series originally started with six contestants from a broad spectrum of entertainment including DJ and actor, Goldie (the first to be evicted from the house), TV presenter, Anne Diamond (second to be evicted) and comedienne, Sue Perkins (third to be evicted) alongside Melinda, Les and Mark.

For those not in the know, the show followed the normal format of previous Big Brothers where the stars go through a process of nomination and the general public voting to see who gets evicted.

The celebrity version lasts only 10 days, with all money raised from voting being donated to charities choosen by the contestants.

Throughout the week the stars were made to perform tasks during their stay in return for special foods parcels and other treats - the first one being to construct three of their beds from flat-pack kits when they arrived!

Melinda: one of the favourites to win, eventually finished third © Channel 4

During the fanfare unveiling of the house mates, Melinda proclaimed she was "...thrilled to be in the house" and that the luxury items she was allowed to take in included sweets and a bottle of wine.

The successful TV presenter, who still lives in Swindon, also admitted that the things she missed the most included her two sons, Morgan and Flynn, the banging balls of her husband's pool table, her bed and her bath.