Traveller Doherty wins 'Celebrity Big Brother'

Baywatch pin-up Pamela Anderson will get the new series of 'Big Brother' off to a bang tonight a day after traveller Paddy Doherty was crowned winner of the celebrity version of the reality show.

The American actress, 44, will be the latest star to enter the house along with 14 new housemates chosen by producers from thousands of fame-hunting hopefuls.

'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' star Doherty, 52, surprised bookmakers with his shock victory last night, beating runner-up, former Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona and firm favourites Jedward.

The former bare-knuckle fighter, who lists his home town as being wherever his family are, broke down in tears as he emerged from the house to be greeted by his wife of 25 years.

He said the pair had never before spent more than four days apart and wiped tears from his eyes as they were reunited.

Dressed in a pale pink shirt and jeans, and smiling broadly, he told host Brian Dowling: “No way did I think I would get this far.”

Born into generations of travellers, the TV personality said he had been a “fish out of water” in the 'Big Brother' house but said his response had been to be “myself”.

“I am me, and that’s it,” he said.

“I’m not used to mixing in that way. Then all of a sudden you are like a fish out of water, you have got to be yourself.”

Irish pop duo Jedward left the house in third place after being voted the “most annoying” housemates, while Katona, who has become known for her somewhat turbulent personal life, said her experience in the house had taught her she was a “strong, independent woman” who could “stand on my own two feet”.

The 31-year-old mother of four told Dowling she had made some “solid friends” during the reality TV show, singling out Doherty as being “the main one” who would become a “friend forever”.

In an emotional interview following his exit, the father-of-five who has 15 grandchildren, said he had become a “father figure” to the former pop star and had struck up a great friendship with Paparazzo Darryn Lyons, 46.

“Darryn’s a gentleman, a proper true gentleman,” he added.

But he was less effusive about Jedward and said he had been “tortured” by the hyperactive twins.

“I wanted to pick them up, drown them, pick them up, throw them away,” he said.

The proud winner, who lives in a caravan park in Manchester, said his time in the house had been a positive one, adding: “I’m just very grateful to all the public for voting for me.”

Pin-up and actor Lucien Laviscount, international model Bobby Sabel and Amy Childs, star of 'The Only Way is Essex', also left the house during last night’s live final on Channel 5.

The episode came to a close with a sneak preview of what is to come in the next 'Big Brother' series as it was revealed that blonde-bombshell Anderson would be joining housemates.

Perched on the diary room seat in a skimpy outfit, she warned: “You’d better watch out.”

Referring to the new housemates she added: “I’m going to leave a skidmark on everyone of them.”

Doherty’s win took bookmakers by surprise, with William Hill’s spokesman Rupert Adams describing the result as “a terrible result for us” which cost bookies a “small five figure sum”.

Gary Burton, of Coral, said the victory came as a “huge shock”.

“Paddy was the rank outsider when he entered the house, but as punters warmed to him, his price fell,” he said.

“He was the worst result for us in the end, despite one Coral customer staking £10,000 on Jedward late on.”