Princess Diana’s former butler and Farndon resident Paul Burrell entered the Celebrity Big Brother house to boos from the crowd outside.
Mr Burrell, who runs a florist shop in the Cheshire village, got a warm reception from the housemates with former model Janice Dickinson bowing down to him but the BB fans outside weren’t so welcoming.
The 57-year-old will be helping the celebs transform the house into a ‘royal palace’ with a Big Brother monarchy waited on hand and foot by team USA.
On his new role in the Channel 5 show, Paul said: “Make no mistake about it. I am British. I’ll try to teach them a little of what I know, whether it’s service, manners, etiquette or, knowledge from my world that I learnt for many years by working with the royal family.”
When asked how he feels about entering the Big Brother House and meeting the housemates, he said: “I’m apprehensive because it’s a totally alien experience. I’m taking in a set of skills to educate the housemates. I’m not a real housemate though - I’m there to help so I’m not competing with them.
“I have met some of the world’s most important people – kings and queens, presidents and First Ladies, movie stars and the Pope. I wasn’t intimidated by them, so I won’t be intimidated by the people in the Big Brother House.”
Among the BB housemates are TV presenter Gail Porter, comedian Bobby Davro, ex-Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton, ex-Coronation Street actress Sherrie Hewson and ex-porn star Jenna Jameson.
On the different characters in the house, Paul said: “I know I’m not going to be liked by everyone because no-one is, but I’m not a quitter. I like a challenge. I love people. There are some great characters in this house and there are people who I wouldn’t normally meet in my life.”
Paul Burrell is no stranger to reality TV having come runner-up to Joe Pasquale in I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004. He has also appeared on Channel 4’s Celebrity Coach Trip.
Reflecting on how he will behave in the Big Brother house, he added: “Give credit where credit’s due. You won’t hear me swear, you won’t see me naked, but I’m not shy and I stand up for what I think is right. It is important to have a voice so don’t expect me to stand by and say nothing.
“I can’t manage a royal household without having an opinion and you can’t be in the Big Brother house without having a strong character.”
Paul Burrell will not be living in the house as an official housemate. He won’t participate in nominations and will not be evicted but will leave the house at the conclusion of the task later this week.
