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• Ken Russell

Ken Russell leaves 'Big Brother'

The director walks out after a row about cheese.

Jan  8 2007

And so, after approximately four days spent in the company of a bunch of c-list has-beens and never gonna-bes, Ken Russell has left the big brother house. Ever the rebel, the eccentric director walked out following a row, apparently about cheese and biscuits, with brain-box Jade Goody and her equally intellectual mother.

The TOMB is pleased that he's leaving at this early stage however, firstly, because it means we won't have to watch the programme again this year, and secondly, because the lovable eccentric is leaving with his dignity (just about) intact.

Following a shaky start, the director soon settled into his role as elder statesman of the house, often bemused by the behaviour of his fellow contestants, but never trying too hard or (worse still) mugging for the cameras.

So what next for 79-year-old helmer? With IMDB claiming that he has a screen version of 'Moll Flanders' currently in pre-production, let's hope he returns to what he does best, and leaves all this reality TV nonsense to other, lesser celebrities.