Celebrity Big Brother 'Drove Alexander O'Neal To Crack Cocaine'

The recent series of Celebrity Big Brother has without doubt been the most stressful in the show's history.

But while that might have made for compulsive but awkward viewing for us, it had a much more serious effect on Alexander O'Neal - who had walked out following a row with Perez Hilton.

The Mirror has revealed that the 61-year-old soul star had a relapse and indulged in crack cocaine binges in his London hotel room following his departure from the Channel 5 show.

A rep for O'Neal told the paper: "It has been extensively reported how this series of CBB has been one of the most stressful and volatile in the history of the show.

"It has been documented in the past that Alexander has had issues that have led to him seeking professional help and treatment.

"This was a momentary relapse, completely out of his recent character and behaviour and he will certainly be addressing and dealing with this immediately.

"Alexander has a lot of positive projects to look forward to over the next few months, including a tour and new material he is working on, and hopes this momentary lapse will not interfere with those.

"He asks his fans to forgive him and apologises if he has let any of you down."

O'Neal walked out of the reality show after losing his temper under provocation from Hilton - calling the gossip blogger a "f**got".

The newspaper had collected evidence of his dealings with a man in a padded jacket and had spoken to a member of hotel staff who reported the smell of drugs coming from the singer's room.

"You could smell the drugs in the corridor," the source said. "He has looked shocking when he did come out."

Katie Price won the series on Friday night.