[Mrluvaluva]

FRIGHTENED Big Brother babes Chanelle Hayes and Chantelle Houghton faced urgent medical tests last night amid fears they may have caught deadly swine flu.

The telly beauties were being checked out by private medics after a luxury holiday in Mexico where the killer virus broke out.

Premier League football stars Carlos Vela of Arsenal and Matthew Bates of Middlesbrough also found themselves under threat as the virus brought major health crackdowns and the scrapping of tourist trips to Mexico.

Midfielder Matthew, 22, is dating Chanelle – and if she is infected it is likely he too will have caught the virus.

If her test results come back positive Middlesbrough’s medical team will have to have the entire squad checked out.

Mexican striker Carlos spent a day in quarantine before travelling to Manchester ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game tomorrow.

Carlos, 20, was told to stay away from training after a visit by some Mexican friends last week.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 59, said: “It looked to be a massive problem because we were asked yesterday to keep him at home and not get him to the training ground.

“Now he has the all-clear and today he was free again to attend training.”


Chantelle, 25, who recently spoke of her fear that her boobs would explode, has warned her pals they could be hit too and may need to be checked out by doctors.

Last night Chanelle, 21, said: “We were in Mexico only a few weeks ago and that’s when swine flu seemed to start, so natur*ally we are concerned.

“We’re not going to panic but like a lot of people who have been on holiday in Mexico recently we are getting checked out.”

Another celebrity tourist, Harry Potter star Emma Watson told of her relief at escaping the virus.

The 19-year-old actress – who plays wizard Hermione Granger in the hit movies – visited Cancun on a trip around Mexico with pals, but moved on because they did not like the place.

Her spokeswoman said last night: “Emma had a lucky escape.”

The flu crisis threw holiday plans for thousands of Brits into chaos yesterday as travel firms axed all trips to Mexico.

Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and Airtours were among the groups to suspend depart*ures for at least a week after the Government warned against all but essential travel.

More than 300,000 people have holidays booked in the coming months.

The companies said tourists already in Mexican resorts would be brought home as soon as they wanted to leave, and promised refunds or alternative holidays for anyone affected.

At Manchester airport, hundreds of disappointed holidaymakers had their trips cancelled yesterday.

Among them, newlyweds Russ and Faye Cavis from Bolton told how their dream honeymoon had been snatched away from them.

But 28-year-old Faye said: “We were a bit frightened about going anyway.”

And fellow honeymooners Stuart and Kelly Goddard from Coventry, who were also heading for Cancun, had their trip shattered.

“There is relief but also heartache,” said Stuart, 25.

A Thomson spokesman said: “We appreciate that the news may have been a great disappointment to customers.

But we hope they understand that their health and safety is of paramount import*ance to us.”

Last night internet spammers were sending out bogus emails claiming singer Madonna, 50, and actress Selma Hayek, 42, have swine flu, but anyone opening them found the message damaged their PC.


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