Big Brother - Amanda and Brian split

21 January 2008 - 'Big Brother' couple Amanda Marchant and Brian Belo have split up.

The pair - who met on reality show 'Big Brother' in 2007 - called time on their relationship after 19-year-old Amanda refused to move to Brian's hometown of Basildon, Essex.

A source close to 20-year-old Brian told Britain's News of the World newspaper: "They had been suffering strains for a number of weeks because they wanted different things. Brian finally ended it."

After cementing their relationship following their departure from the famous house, Brian and Amanda - who appeared on the reality show with her twin sister Sam - were frequently spotted together at celebrity bashes, but Amanda is said to have had enough with Brian's Essex lifestyle.

The source continued: "Amanda loved dressing up and going to trendy London clubs but Brian wanted to hang out with his mates in Essex.

"Amanda didn't want to move to Essex and live Brian's life. She wanted to hang out in central London with other celebrities all the time."

Brian's spokesperson confirmed the split.

Meanwhile, Pete Bennett - who won 'Big Brother' in 2006 - has blasted bosses for altering the format of the reality show, and allowing celebrities to take charge in 'Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack'.

He said: "I'm not watching 'Big Brother' now. Most people I've spoken to think it's quite boring. I'm a bit upset with the change, and it's put me off 'Big Brother' all together."

(C) BANG Media International