Hewitt admits Diana despair on reality TV

Princess Diana’s former lover James Hewitt has admitted on TV to spoon-bending psychic Uri Geller that he had suicidal feelings after his relationship with the princess was made public.

The two, who are competing in British Channel 5‘s Back To Reality show, had a heart-to-heart in the library of the show’s mock-up mansion.

One side of the house is made of glass and the antics of the 12 contestants will be filmed for the next three weeks.

But within hours of entering the house, James, 45, a former cavalry officer, was already confiding in TV psychic Uri, who has adopted the role of house counsellor, according to producers.

Speaking of events in 1992, after his affair with the late princess became public, James said he had made “mistakes”.

He told Uri: “I was not without fault.”

Asked what those mistakes were, James replied: “I am not going into the details, but I admit I made mistakes, although all for the right reasons.

“It was then I was prepared to go away, drive to France and commit suicide.”

Hewitt has previously spoken of his suicidal tendencies after news of his affair with Diana broke, which could explain Uri’s response.

Uri, 58, who is famous for bending spoons as a TV psychic and for being a friend to singer Michael Jackson, seemed amazed at James’ choice of suicide destination.

He said: “No way. Oh my God! Why France?”

He then tempered it with: “I am astounded to hear this, you have such strength.”

James admitted he had been suffering from “shock and depression” but added: “I hope I am now over those times.”

The two are also competing with Big Brother’s Jade Goody, Craig Phillips and Nick Bateman, Driving School’s Maureen Rees, Wife Swap’s Lizzy Bardsley, The Salon’s Ricardo Ribiero, I’m A Celebrity’s Catalina Guirado, The Games’ Josie D’Arby and Pop Idol’s Rik Waller.

Another contestant is Sarah Kozer, 30, who was the runner-up on Joe Millionaire, a reality show in the States which boasted 43 million viewers.

She did not win the “millionaire” man prize at the end but did make the cover of Playboy magazine.

Insiders on the new reality TV show say Nick – dubbed ‘Nasty Nick’ for trying to manipulate nominations while in the Big Brother house – has had a makeover to improve his chances of winning the latest contest.

The victor gets cash for his or her chosen charity.

A spokeswoman for Back to Reality said: “He has been heard saying to production staff: ‘I want to win this. I am not coming second.’

“He has had his teeth straightened and whitened and before the show started he went away for a week to get a tan. He’s been training in the gym.”

She continued: “We caught him trying to smuggle a tiny torch into the house. He was renowned for being a cheat on Big Brother – contestants were not allowed to discuss their nominations for evictions – but he has got the character for good TV.”

Jade, 23, yesterday proved a winner in the entertainment stakes when she began confronting Rik Waller over his weight.

She criticised the 23-year-old for not trying hard enough to shed the pounds. Jade has slimmed down from a size 16 to a size 10 since appearing in Big Brother.

But contestants showed their kind side last night after the show’s makers provided them with Valentine treats.

They screamed with delight as boxes of luxuries including champagne, caviar, oysters and a live lobster were delivered.

The group was split over whether to eat the lobster. Craig, James and Nick were all for cooking the creature, but Uri and Sarah Kozer – both vegetarians - were against it.

The creature was cooked and though Jade and Rick had both wanted to keep it alive, they both tucked in.