Nicola McLean almost quit Celebrity Big Brother just hours before entering the house after crisis talks with husband Tom following ‘personal problems’ and ‘horrendous’ past experience
NICOLA McLean almost pulled out of the new series of Celebrity Big Brother at the last minute after a series of "crisis talks" with her husband Tom Williams following her difficult experience last time in the house.
The model previously appeared on the Channel 5 reality show in 2012, before describing it as “the worst experience of [her] life”.
The horrendous time had a knock on effect on her confidence, and even led to the star contemplating pulling out of the new series, All Stars and New Stars, set to kick off tonight.
A source exclusively told The Sun Online: "Nicola completely lost her confidence and almost backed out of CBB at the last minute.
"Last time she was on the show, she had an awful time with some of her housemates, and she is scared it could happen again."
Nicola has been in worried talks with her husband Tom and close friends and family in recent weeks, who have since convinced her she'll be OK.
The source added: "Everyone has fully supported her and convinced her to go back into the CBB house after the awful experience that she had in there the last time.
"Nicola has stepped out of the public eye for the last two years after a lot of difficult personal problems.
"She made a decision not to go to celeb events or speak to the press so that she could give her marriage a proper chance under normal circumstances."
Instead of a life in the limelight, Nicola has focused on her two sons Striker and Rocky, even joining the school PTA, as well as going in to her sons' school to help kids with extra reading, arts and crafts.
"She is a full time ‘soccer mum’ and is always at her two sons’ football trying sessions and matches," the source said. "She hangs out with the PTA Mum’s and they are like the fun mum’s from the ‘Bad Moms’ movie.
"Nicola loves hanging out with like-minded mums and she's been reluctant to step back into the spotlight."
The source explained: "She has loved being an ‘at home mum’ and going back into the CBB house has taken every ounce of courage that she has."
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Meanwhile, the official line-up for series 19 of the hit Five reality show has been revealed by The Sun .
So far seven returning stars have been confirmed, as well as seven new contestants that are making their CBB debut.
Those returning are; American singer Nicola McLean, American model Austin Armacost, Loose Women star Coleen Nolan, married The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag (who count as one contestant as they would be evicted together), British model Calum Best, ex-Strictly star James Jordan, and American model Jasmine Waltz.
New faces to enter the house are; American singer Stacy Francis, radio DJ Brandon Block, footballer Jamie O’Hara, Kim Kardashian’s sex tape co-star Ray J, model Bianca Gascoigne, Calum Best’s mum Angie, and Game of Thrones star James Cosmo.
Tune into Celebrity Big Brother for the launch night on Tuesday 3 January 2017 at 9pm on Five.
