Rachel Rice

Early life and career

Born in Pontypool, Rice worked as a television and film actress. She took part in around 20 television commercials globally – including the Sony Handicam's 'Fairies at the Bottom of the Garden' in 1991. One of her most notable roles was an appearance alongside Hugh Grant in the 1993 Gothic horror Night Train to Venice when she was eight. She later worked as a model and trained as a teacher. She worked as an assistant teacher in class 7G1 (2007–08) at Caerleon Comprehensive School in Newport, South Wales, where she taught up to A Level. She now teaches full-time.

Big Brother

Rachel entered the Big Brother house on 5 June 2008. During her stay in the house, Rachel survived two eviction votes, the first in Week 8, where nine others faced eviction as a punishment for breaking rules, and the second in Week 10, where she survived over Stuart Pilkington. Rachel was known for being one of the nicer housemates in the show, though she was often teased by her fellow housemates as she often chose not to give opinions on matters that she considered sensitive. She also was known for the close friendships she formed with her fellow housemates – most notably Kathreya Kasisopa and Michael Hughes. Rachel was announced as the winner of her series on 5 September 2008, narrowly beating her friend Michael in the final night by 51.3% of the public vote. The result came as a surprise to the bookies, who had Michael as the favourite to win for several weeks.

On the Big Brother's Little Brother reunion show Rachel told of her plans to spend some of her £100,000 winnings on paying student debts, buying a new car and giving £10,000 to charity.

On 4 January 2009, Rachel appeared on The Sunday Night Project taking part in the Coat of Cash feature that often uses Big Brother contestants when the two shows are on air at the same time.

On 6 June 2009, Rachel appeared on T4, where she discussed her first impressions on the Big Brother 10 housemates, and what she had done with her £100,000 winners prize since leaving the house.

Modelling

Rice was second runner up in the 2003 Miss Wales contest, which was won by Imogen Thomas who coincidentally appeared in series seven of Big Brother. She has gone on to represent both South and North Wales in Miss Great Britain. In 2004, she won the Wales On Sunday newspaper's Welsh Idol. Rachel was a top ten finalist in the 2005 More magazine's Most fanciable girl in the UK beauty contest.

Filmography