Big Brother legend Helen unrecognisable 22 years after quitting fame to be a hairdresser in Bristol

SHE rose to fame over 20 years ago when she appeared on hit reality TV show Big Brother.

But these days a lot has changed for Helen Adams, now 45, who has quit fame for a much quieter life as a hairdresser near Bristol.

The star – famous for her flirtation with Paul Clarke in the house – was spotted looking almost unrecognisable a few years ago after many moons away from the limelight.

Dressed all in black she had three bags with her as she headed to work in the upmarket salon.

The Welsh hairdresser shot to fame on Big Brother‘s second series in 2001 thanks to what became known as Helen-isms such as “I love blinking I do”.

While Helen and Paul were certainly flirty in the house, in a move that seems positively restrained compared to current reality TV, the pair never even kissed.

But in the real world, after the show was over, they started a relationship for real.

In the aftermath of the show they were bombarded by magazine and newspaper deals and even offered their own reality show, which they turned down.

The couple bought a house together and settled down in North London but split after five years together in 2006.

Helen admitted later that the strain of being in the capital, far from her family back in Wales, had begun to take its toll.

Paul also started a life away from TV, forging a successful career in car design and, now in his mid-40s, is still looking boyishly youthful.

Their break-up was so amicable they even an interview on the subject together and she now lives with her husband and daughter near Bristol.

Speaking to Heat she said: “I felt like the Wicked Witch because I was first to say something. But then Paul said to me, ”would you want to marry me?’

“I said, ‘I don’t think I would’ and he said, ‘well, I don’t want to marry you either’. And we laughed.”

Big Brother moved across to Channel 5 in 2011 before falling ratings led to it being axed in 2018.

But last year The Sun revealed it was coming back — and going to ITV2.

The reboot is expected to air in October and will be hosted by former Strictly star AJ Odudu and her close pal Will Best.