[Loukas]

The transgender former boxing manager had a string of special clauses written into her contract with Channel 5 producers

It was no easy matter for Celebrity Big Brother bosses to persuade Kellie Maloney to appear on the show, she has revealed.

The legendary boxing promoter – who as Frank Maloney steered British star Lennox Lewis to become world heavyweight champion – had a string of special clauses written into her contract with Channel 5 producers.

She was acutely aware of the risk she was taking by going into the house at such a vulnerable point in her life, along with Benefits Street star White Dee, former boxer Audley Harrison and Hollywood hero Gary Busey.

Kellie said: “I spoke at length to Big Brother producers about clauses that would protect the situation I was in.

”They were not allowed to film me sleeping in case my wig fell off and I was allowed a private bathroom.

"I had come so far I didn’t want anyone to ever see me as Frank again.”

The experience proved to be a rollercoaster ride for Kellie, who now admits it may have come too soon after publicly revealing her transsexuality in the Sunday Mirror.

She said: “I don’t remember too much about the first night. I was drunk on champagne and Lauren and Dee found me slumped in a toilet. After that I did regret going in. I had been living alone for two years and suddenly found myself sleeping in a room with 13 other people.

“Because of the way it was edited I don’t think they showed my funny side. That is what has got me through all this.

“I will stay friends with some housemates though. We have been in contact since the after party and will meet up again.”

Asked about alleged flirting between her and some of the younger male housemates, Kellie laughs and says: “If they fancied a 61-year-old transsexual then they would have problems.

“It was flirtation for the cameras – me playing games with them.”

IrishMirror.ie