Speaking to Lorraine Kelly and Aled Jones on Daybreak this morning, the mother-of-two admitted that her marriage broke down as a consequence of her court case against Alan Sugar, in which she claimed constructive dismissal- a case which was dismissed.
‘Despite [the high salary] I couldn’t actually physically stay there, because it was unbearable. I had no future there, I knew that’s why I resigned.’
Despite struggling financially and emotionally, the 33-year-old does not regret taking part in the show, revealing:
‘I don’t regret going on the show because I won The Apprentice and I’m very proud of that.
‘But I do regret obviously what I’ve had to go through and what my family have had to go through, and I’m very sad the repercussions that it’s had.
‘However I will stand by it, I’ve spoken the truth and I’ve stood up for myself and I‘ve had to pay for it dearly but I will never apologise for it.’
Check out: The best and worst Celebrity Big Brother ROMANCES
CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER ROMANCES - SLIDER
1 of 15Chantelle Houghton and Preston
Chantelle and Preston were the original CBB romance. We LOVED seeing 'non-celeb' Chantelle form a relationship with the Ordinary Boys singer. It was so pure, so sweet - no hanky panky in between the sheets (as far as we know). The pair even got married when they left the house. Alas, it wasn't to last forever and they soon divorced. Love is dead. Romance Rating: 9 (for setting the trend for reality TV romances and showing others how lucrative it can be)
2 of 15Natasha Giggs and Kirk Norcross
Natasha Giggs and Kirk Norcross shared some 'intimate' times in the house, discussing Natasha's boobs and Kirk's genitals. Lovely stuff. Apparently, meeting Kirk in the CBB house made Natasha completely rethink her marriage. That's bad luck then, as nothing really came of their flirtations.Romance Rating: 2 (well we'd hardly call those Jane Austen level declarations of love)
3 of 15Luisa Zissman and Dappy
More of a love/hate relationship here, Luisa Zissman and Dappy would be snogging in the hot tub one minute and shouting at each other in a heated argument the next. Luisa actually later said she just did it for the magazine deals. Romance Rating: 3.5 (at least there was a bit of fiery passion between the pair, right?)
4 of 15Edele Lynch and George Gilbey
Gogglebox's George Gilbey was something of a Casanova as he first had a bit of a thing for Stephanie Pratt before quickly moving on to B*Witched singer Edele Lynch. After some errr 'dirty' dancing the pair shared a snog in bed. Outside of the house the pair went on holiday to a caravan park (not quite the Maldives but each to their own). Sadly, it turned out Edele wasn't quite ready to move on after her divorce and George had a baby with someone else. Romance Rating: 7 (we love the caravan holiday detail in this love story)
5 of 15Ginuwine and Ashley James
Pony singer and dad-of-nine (yes, NINE) Ginuwine and former MIC Ashley James got very close but it wasn't to be in the outside world. Ashley said that she 'couldn't trust him' and it took her a while to 'get over' him. Romance Rating: 5 (it was just a weird coupling from the off, right?)
6 of 15Stephanie Davis and Jeremy McConnell
Perhaps the most controversial CBB couple, Stephanie Davis quickly forgot about her boyfriend on the outside after falling for the 'charms' of Jeremy McConnell. Their relationship caused a lot of dramz in the house and it didn't stop when they left. In fact, Jeremy was later convicted for assaulting Stephanie and he refused to accept she was the father of her child until a lie detector proved that he is. Romance Rating: 1 (this is one relationship that should NAT have happened)
7 of 15Sarah Harding and Chad Johnson
Nobody saw a romance coming between former Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding and The Bachelorette's Chad Johnson coming in 2017. But after Chad and Sarah racked up a cute friendship, things soon turned into a romance in the house, with the pair getting cosy on a number of occasions. They remained together for a number of weeks after the show ended, but with Chad living in America and Sarah in the UK, things didn't work out. Romance Rating: 5 (for the steamy snogging)
8 of 15Kerry Katona and Lucien Laviscount
Another CBB romance NOBODY saw coming was between Kerry Katona and former Waterloo Road star Lucien Laviscount in 2011. Kerry and Lucien seemed very loved-up in the house, sharing a number of cuddles and kisses, but things didn't work out due to their 11-year age difference on the outside world.Romance Rating: 5 (we weren't convinced)
9 of 15Megan McKenna and Scotty T
Despite Stephanie and Jeremy's relationship taking up more or less the whole series in 2016, TOWIE's Megan McKenna and Geordie Shore's Scotty T also got VERY cosy. The reality pair enjoyed a number of steamy kisses in the house, but things didn't go to plan on the outside, with Scotty T blaming distance as the reason for their split. Romance Rating: 6 (we feel bad for Stephanie and Jeremy stealing their thunder)
10 of 15Lee Ryan and Casey Batchelor (and Jasmine Waltz)
The 2014 series of CBB brought with it one of the cringiest love-triangles to date, between Blue singer Lee Ryan, Jasmine Waltz and Casey Bachelor. Lee started off by getting to know Casey, before declaring his 'love' for Jasmine. But when the America model was evicted, Lee jumped back into bed with Casey (leaving viewers fuming). CBB bosses then created MASSIVE drama when they put Jasmine back into the house, resulting in a huge argument between the pair. Despite this, Lee and Jasmine started a relationship and even appeared on the front of a magazine, but things didn't last long when Jasmine accused him of 'cheating'. Romance Rating: 8 (there was a lot of love going around here, which was the problem really)
11 of 15Marnie Simpson and Lewis Bloor
Geordie Shore's Marnie Simpson and TOWIE's Lewis Bloor had an instant connection when they appeared on the 2016 series of CBB. Things seemed to be going well for the couple, especially after THAT shower session (eughhh). The pair even moved in together when they left the house. But it all ended in tears when it was revealed that Lewis had cheated on Marnie twice!Romance Rating: 6 (well they def had the hots for each other...at one point, right?)
12 of 15Basshunter and Katia Ivanova
Katia actually had a boyfriend on the outside, but her head was turned when she met Basshunter, real name Jonas Erik Altberg. Despite the pair enjoying some time together in the house, Katia ended things on the show, calling the DJ 'too clingy'. Romance Rating: 4 (did we care? not really)
13 of 15Stephen Bear and Chloe Khan
Despite dating Lillie Lexie Greg at the time, Stephen didn't let that stop him getting cosy with Chloe Khan during the 2016 series, with their fellow housemates complaining at their super raunchy behaviour shudder. Although Lillie entered the house to confront Bear, that didn't stop Chloe waiting for him when he left the house as champion. Despite their whirlwind romance, things soon ended between the pair, with Bear now dating model Ellie O'Donnell.Romance Rating: 9 (it was brilliantly entertaining)
14 of 15Courtney Act and Andrew Brady
This was more a case of unrequited love. Drag race icon The Apprentice contestant Courtney Act and Andrew Brady formed a very close friendship but it appeared Courtney was more 'into' it. She has since said that she was 'in love' with Andrew.Romance Rating: 6 (because we've ALL been there)
15 of 15Lauren Goodger and Ricci Guaraccio
Lauren Goodger sure knows how to pick 'em. Geordie Shore's Ricci Guarnaccio took a real shining to the TOWIE star and even jokingly proposed to her after two days. The pair got kicked out of the house together in a double eviction. Lauren has since said she really wasn't into it - so much so that she got into a relationship with a jailbird (who she's no longer with, thank goodness). Romance Rating: 4 (she only liked the guy after a few drinks)
Read more:
Alan Sugar throws serious shade at former Apprentice candidate Andrew Brady
Last week a judge ruled that Stella would not have to repay Lord Sugar the legal fees spent in her lost court case, however the media frenzy caused by the court battle reportedly cost her a £200,000-a-year consultant job with Citigroup.
Although English is said to own three homes worth up to £1million, she has been forced to request job seekers' allowance and housing benefits, labeling her homes ‘a liability rather than assets’ as she cannot afford the repayments.
Her former lifestyle, which reportedly included a Bentley a Porsche, £600 caviar meals and designer shoes, has been traded for that of a struggling jobless single mother.
Speaking about her current situation, the former bank trader admitted:
‘All I care about at the moment is my kids. I’ve got two small children, dad is not at home, mummy is crying and they don’t know why.
‘I think it’s just gone too far [to get back together with my husband]. I suppose at the time I needed the support I’ve found myself completely alone. The only way is up, that’s the good news, I don’t think it can get much worse. Well please God I hope it doesn’t.’
This article first appeared on Closer on 30 September 2013