Ordinary Boy Preston emerged from TV's Big Brother house a loser but every inch a star last night.

His favourite Big Brother housemate Chantelle Houghton, who later pulled off a coup by winning Celebrity Big Brother, clamped her hand over her mouth with shock as Davina McCall announced Preston was in fourth place.

As his French girlfriend Camille Aznar, who lives in Hove, waited in the crowd, the Worthing-born singer sipped a glass of wine before stepping through the door to rapturous applause.

Preston's fans wildly waved posters The Argus had supplied as he left the building, posing for pictures in a tweed-style suit.

The singer, whose raised thousands for under-threat St Patrick's homeless shelter in Hove during the show, said he was amazed how seriously some of the other housemates took the show.

Asked about Chantelle, he said: "She's adorable. She's a little angel."

But he insisted they were not lovers: "We're just mates. Very very good mates."

Preston's girlfriend Camille looked embarrassed as Davina pressed the singer, frontman of the chart-topping band The Ordinary Boys, on whether he and Chantelle would be a couple if he were single.

He said: "No comment."

He said he had enjoyed his stay in the house. "I've learnt a lot about trust and I'd much rather trust someone and be disappointed then not trust someone."

He gave a smile and said "Thank you" when Davina told him his band's re-released single Boys Will Be Boys had rocketed to a top-ten chart position since he had been in the show.

However, it will be a while before the 23-year-old resumes an ordinary life back home in Sussex as he begins a whirlwind of TV and celebrity engagements including CDUK today and Top of the Pops.

Previously-unknown Essex girl Chantelle defeated the host of famous faces to win the show.

The 22-year-old, originally a novelty addition to the house instructed to pretend she was a pop star, seemed hardly able to believe it as her name was called out.

She wiped away tears and hugged entertainer Michael Barrymore, who came a respectable second and may have rejuvenated his career after scandals and breakdowns.

Chantelle told Davina that she was adamant she and Preston were not an item.

She said: "I don't fancy him. I like him, I know I like him." Meanwhile, Preston's fans huddled in the cold as the snow fell outside the Big Brother house.

Mark Nicholson, The Ordinary Boys' manager, was there to watch the singer leave the house.

He said: "He's done a great job. He comes across really well."

Mark said the band would not be affected by the hype.

"It's always been about the music. It will go back to being about the music."

Eugene Sully, from Crawley, the "geek" who made his name in Big Brother Six, was present to watch the finale.

Eugene, whose recently been co-presenting a radio show in Bangor, Wales, said: "I think Preston will do very well out of the show with his single being rereleased.

"I think he's done very well. He's conducted himself well, unlike many of the others.

"I think Galloway in that respect really let himself down when arguing with Preston and the others."

Stacey Gardner, 28, from Archway, London, said: "He's just gorgeous isn't he? I've been watching it the whole time and him and Chantelle have always been my favourites."

Christine Jenkins, of Watford, agreed: "I think Preston's fantastic. Really good. He's down-to-earth, unlike some of the others.

"I think he really is into Chantelle but he's with his girlfriend and that's it. He's loyal."

Others, however, were still sure that Preston should really be with fake celeb Chantelle.

Hannah Lynne, 26, said: "We want them to kick on and have their affair. It's sad for Preston's girlfriend but Chantelle's better. They're made to be together."

Preston, whose full name is Sam Preson and who lives in Hove, quickly became a viewer's favourite on the reality show for his charming sense of humour and laid-back attitude and budding friendship with Chantelle.

The heart-throb threw himself into the tasks with gusto, even wearing a skin-tight blue leotard.

The band's second album Brassbound has sold ten times as many copies during the show's run.