IT was a case of the battle of the steam irons when auctioneer David Palmer and mum-of-two Emma Furness went head-to-head for the title Perfect Housewife. The pair met at celebrity Anthea Turner s country mansion for the dust up to decide who would be cro

IT was a case of the battle of the steam irons when auctioneer David Palmer and mum-of-two Emma Furness went head-to-head for the title Perfect Housewife.

The pair met at celebrity Anthea Turner's country mansion for the dust up to decide who would be crowned with a pink tiara.

After a tough competition, including making hand-made sausages in Anthea's kitchen, auctioneer, David, 47, of Newnham Street, Ely took the title.

But, despite accepting defeat, Emma, 34, admits the experience has led to her de-cluttering her home at High Street, Wilburton and become more efficient with the housework.

"I was so fed up with my house, so annoyed with it and I knew I needed a kick up the backside," said Emma. "I saw an advert in a magazine asking for people to take part in this television programme.

"When I got accepted I wasn't sure whether I wanted to take part. I was in two minds."

Emma, who juggles teaching and telesales with her two children, Maisie, three, and 18-month-old Cameron and a degree course, realised she had nothing to lose.

But Anthea forced Emma to face up to the fact that her house was not only dirty but infested with woodlice and spiders.

"I hated Anthea's manner," said Emma. "When you have someone tearing strips off you it's hard to take.

"But she was pointing out the obvious and no-one likes that. I wanted to hate her but she is a really nice woman and the crew said it was the best programme they had made."

Viewers saw David's house was covered with bargains that he had picked up through his work and the whole place was impossible to clean, resembling a salesroom rather than a home, claimed the programme.

The pair were taught some of Anthea's tricks for keeping a heavenly home and challenged to cook and host a dinner with a mystery bag of surprise ingredients.

"We invited a load of people round, organised a wide screen TV and decided to have a party while we watched the show," said David, who juggles his job with bringing up his five-year-old daughter, Sophie.

"I had it in my mind from the start that the show was a cut up job and Emma was going to win. So I was really surprised by the result.