Panto star Dale Howard confesses he was no Prince Charming when it came to his romance with a Big Brother beauty.
Dale, who shot to fame as a housemate in Big Brother 9, revealed his party animal antics led to the break-up with tabloid favourite Chantelle Houghton.
The admission came after he signed up for a new version of Cinderella at the Stiwt Theatre, in Rhos, near Wrexham.
Dale missed out on the role of Prince Charming and is instead playing his sidekick, Dandini
The beefcake had the nation’s women drooling when he spent much of his time as a Big Brother 9 housemate in a state of semi-undress.
And he admits his panto costume means the audience will also be seeing plenty of his toned six pack abs.
Now working as a personal trainer, he has forsaken the bright lights of London’s West End and returned to his native St Helen’s in a bid to return to some what he describes as a bit of normality after a whirlwind couple of years in the limelight.
He said: “I did panto last year for LHK Productions and really enjoyed it. I know it sounds a bit clichéd but the whole cast was just like one big happy family from start to finish.
“It’s hard work, gruelling in fact. We get a couple of weeks rehearsals and then it’s into the shows. Last year I played the lead male role in Snow White so I suppose I have to say I have been relegated this year as I’m playing Dandini, Prince Charming’s servant.”
But being on stage and under the Stiwt Theatre spotlight is a far better experience than being caught in the headlights of tabloid newspaper editors, according to Dale.
He said: “Being on Big Brother 9 was an amazing experience and was a brilliant thing for a 21-year-old to do. However, it was so easy to forget the cameras were on 24/7. You just don’t notice them and carry on life as normal.
“I have no regrets really; I loved every minute of it. It’s just that I did make a lot of mistakes when I came out of the house especially when it came to women.
“There is no doubt, it was my fault and it was me that messed up my much publicised romance with Chantelle Houghton who of course was a massive Big Brother hit in her own right. I was a silly, silly boy.
“The problem was we were at different stages in our lives. I was out partying all the time while she wanted to settle down a bit. I just couldn’t stop going out and hitting the bars and clubs.
“The problem was that just brought more attention onto me and it certainly didn’t do me any good and I ended up losing her.
“Still, you learn your lesson. I was young and had no experience of dealing with tabloid newspapers. I acted very stupidly and paid the price.
“In the end I just wanted some anonymity and that’s why I decided to go home back to St Helen’s to get my head together. I never craved being a celebrity. It does nothing for me to be honest.”
Now back living a much quieter life in St Helen’s, Dale is back working a personal trainer to the body conscious who want to shed a few pounds.
He said: “I love it and it helps me keep in the shape I want to be too. I’m out all over the place training clients and helping them reach their potential.
“I also own a couple of record labels, not really mainstream stuff but underground techno stuff which I am hoping to develop.
“I am trying to stay out of the limelight a bit but I enjoyed panto so much last year I simply couldn’t turn down the chance to appear again this year.”
Dale will be starring in Cinderella alongside North Wales’ very own Handsome pop star, Andy Scott Lee who made it to the big time as a member of 3SL and also appeared on Pop Idol and reality MTV show Totally Scott Lee.
Also cast is the adorable Alison Crawford as Cinderella with the hilarious Michael Chapman and Steve Davies as the Ugly Sisters.
Producer Lee Kelly said: “We were determined to capitalise on the success of last year’s panto by yet again producing Wrexham’s No1 festive show at the Stiwt Theatre with an equally fantastic cast’.
‘We are all very excited to be returning to the Stiwt with a great line up and some great surprises’.
Cinderella will be performed at the Stiwt Theatre Rhos between Thursday, December 15th and Monday, January 2 with matinee and evening performances most days.
For tickets call the Box Office on 01978 841300 or visit stiwt.ticketsolve.com
