We think they’re purely there for our entertainment purposes, but out of these trashy-yet-addictive reality TV shows some people actually make it big. Aside from race rows, voting conspiracy theories and scandalous affairs, normal people become celebrities, were talking Big Brother stars, talent search winner’s etc. Are you with us?

Shilpa Shetty

Possibly one of the most talked about reality star to make it big was Shilpa Shetty, Indian actress who was already loved buy thousands in her home country by the time she arrived in Celebrity Big Brother 2007. There were massive rows about the way housemate/ rival, Jade Goody – allegations were made that Jade’s behaviour to Shetty was racial abuse.Since leaving the Big Brother house, Shilpa Shetty has become well known for her Bollywood movies in England – the reality show has really given her a career boost – releasing 3 films since summer (07).

Chanelle Hayes

Another nobody turned celebrity to come from Big Brother is Chanelle Hayes. The loud stereotypical dumb blonde from Wakefield was most known for being a Victoria Beckham look-a-like and obsessive fan.

She had BB fans hooked this year, with her on/off relationship with fellow housemate, Ziggy, and childish tantrums when the pair had a disagreement. The two left the BB house not an item, then they got back together, then they split up then they…And so on. The couple became known as ‘Chiggy’ and their relationship was kept under close observation by the public eye up until they split for good recently. Chanelle Hayes has since done various modelling shoots and now is a judge in her own reality show, ‘Wannabe’ – a show looking for 5 talented females to be transformed into a group.

Leona Lewis

You never know which X Factor wannabe will go on to pursue a singing career or who’s going to disappear. One winner of the X Factor has done extremely well this year, that’s the 2006 winner Leona Lewis.

The talented 22-year-old came back from tour at the end of summer with a brand new sexed-up look – and has already released 2 singles from her latest album, since returning to the studios. We can only wonder whether Leon, winner of 2007’s X Factor will do the same next year, what do you think?

Lee Mead

Any Dream Will Do winner, Lee Mead has become the new star of the West End, getting the role of Joseph in the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’. The role has originally been played by the likes of, Phillip Schofield and Jason Donovan. Lee is now enjoying a life of media, red carpets and adrenalin as he prepares for 2008. Since the show Lee has set up his own website and released an album, as well as taking centre stage in the West End.

Paul Potts

Another talent search competition, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, has spat out a new star, Paul Potts, quiet family guy, who was bullied through school and felt ‘insignificant’ most of his life – that was until wowing audiences and judges on the 2007 show. His opera voice allowed him to win the contest, become publicly known and release an album.

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The Best of the Rest

Other reality stars who have made it big this year are; Myleene Klass, former winner of ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me out Of Here’, Danielle Lloyd, model, after appearing in Celebrity Big Brother 2007 alongside, Jade Goody and Jo O’Meara and Connie Fisher, winner of BBC One talent show, ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’.

2007’s reality shows have not only given us good viewing and a reason to stay in, but some of the knowledge of some of the big personalities and talents we share our society with. Who knows, it could be you, who we see get a shot at the Celebrity life next year as, we are sure lots more of these talented people will come to light thanks to TV’s reality shows.

Female First- Heather Cowley