Donna Preston, who finished fourth on last year's Celebrity Big Brother, has opened up about an off-screen meltdown that viewers never saw. The actress and comedian, 40, admitted she was overwhelmed by the scale of the show and struggled with homesickness, particularly missing her cat Mr Bigs.
Meltdown and Welfare Support
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Donna said: "When I did Big Brother, I had a bit of a meltdown the night before, and welfare were incredible. Probably like 12 people – the whole team – came into my room, we all sat on the bed, and we all had a little chat. It was lovely – they were absolutely gorgeous." She added that she remains friends with the welfare team to this day.
The meltdown was triggered by the sheer scale of the show and missing her cat. "I just think I was a little bit overwhelmed. It's a huge show to do," she explained. "And ultimately I was missing my cat. I know it sounds daft, but I love my cat [Mr Bigs]! I thought I'd only stay in there for a week and I'd be back with Mr Bigs. Then obviously I stayed the whole duration, which was great, because I knew I had wonderful friends to look after him."
Reality TV Duty of Care
Donna's comments come amid increased scrutiny of reality TV duty of care, following a BBC Panorama investigation in May where three former Married At First Sight UK brides alleged sexual assault by their on-screen husbands – claims the men strongly denied. Channel 4 subsequently pulled all past series and launched a review into participant protection.
Donna, who has also appeared on Celebs Go Dating, said her own experiences have been positive. "I feel like I've been very fortunate with my shows. Welfare have always been amazing," she said. "Always, before a [reality] show, we'll have a psych test, and welfare will contact us. The follow-up afterwards has been amazing as well."
Future Reality TV Plans
A self-confessed Big Brother superfan, Donna would happily do more reality TV. "You've just got to have fun in life," she said. "I think you should just say yes to everything. There are a couple of shows that I really want to do, and I hope that I will get the opportunity before – and if – they ever end. So never say never."
Top of her wish list is Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking at the Fragrance Foundation UK Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, she said: "The costumes are just incredible. I would love to be in the tights, showing off the thighs and body confidence, proving that a plus-size woman can move as well and look good." She praised the show's diversity, citing comedian Jayde Adams, who wowed fans in 2022 with her Cha Cha Cha in a matching leotard with professional dancer Karen Hauer.
Acting Career and New Projects
Donna has a string of acting credits, including The Sandman and Good Omens with David Tennant and Michael Sheen. She has just started filming a new BBC comedy and has a movie on the horizon, though she cannot reveal details yet. "I can't say any more about it," she teased, "but I'm very, very excited."
