BY ADAM LAZZARI BIG Brother contestant Tracey Barnard spoke of her decision to turn her back on celebrity and return to life as normal, this week. While Ziggy and Chanelle are appearing on the front pages of glossy magazines, and winner Brian is deciding

BY ADAM LAZZARI

BIG Brother contestant Tracey Barnard spoke of her decision to turn her back on celebrity and return to life as normal, this week.

While Ziggy and Chanelle are appearing on the front pages of glossy magazines, and winner Brian is deciding how to spend his £100,000, Tracey was back at home in Fordham on Tuesday promoting a charity that helps vulnerable children.

She said: "People out here have been supporting me and voting for me so it's important that I give something back. I see the others doing the magazine shoots and making lots of money and think good luck to them - it's just not something I'm interested in. I went into the house aged 36 and left, aged 37. I'm not 19 and I was never expecting to make a career as a celebrity or make loads of money. I just did it for a phat experience and to prove to myself that I could do it."

Tracey, who lives at The Chequers pub in Fordham, lasted 86 days in the house.

She was evicted on August 24 and has since done numerous interviews for Big Brother spin-off shows.

She also appeared on Channel 4's The Friday Night Project.

She said: "It's been a mind-blowing experience. After a couple of days in the house I never thought about the cameras. But when I walked out and could see all these cameras on me it was just mad. Since then I've had loads of strangers coming up to me shouting "ave it" and asking me what I'm up to; I just find it bizarre."

She added: "Big Brother has been a fantastic experience and, I've made some good friends in there who I'm keeping in touch with.

"It's one of the maddest experiences of my life, but it's not changed me. I'm just Trace and I always will be."

* People can meet Tracey at the Co-op in Fordham on September 29, between 2pm and 4pm. Anyone can have their picture taken with her for £5 and proceeds will go to The Children's Society.

Tracey Barnard is pictured with Fordham Co-op manager Jill Peacock and deputy manager Sonya Foreman.

Photo: GEOFF DURRANT.