Big Brother delight for Rachel.

RACHEL RICE was the surprise winner of the ninth series of Big Brother, walking away with the pounds 100,000 prize.

The 24-year-old trainee teacher, from Torfaen, south Wales, beat blind Mikey Hughes to win the title.

The result had been too close to call all night, with the bookies' favourite changing regularly. When her name was announced, Rachel said "Oh my God, no way" and then hugged Mikey and told him "I love you so much." Rachel then guided the blind 33-year-old radio producer to the Big Brother door and told him to be careful of the steps.

She won the reality show with 51.3% of the public vote.

Rachel came out of the house to a fireworks display, squealing and thanking the crowds.

She told presenter Davina McCall: "These things just don't happen. Honestly, you dream about going on Big Brother but then when you actually win, it's like, how?" The 24-year-old's fellow housemates criticised her for not having an opinion and for being fake. But she said: "Honestly Davina, how can you not be who you are if you're in there for 13 weeks?"

Rachel is a former child actor who featured alongside Hugh Grant in the film Night Train To Venice and performed in three other films and more than 20 adverts. She stopped acting when she had to choose between films and her education.

Mikey, who took 49.7% of the vote said he had many favourite memories from Big Brother and he particularly loved the unscripted nature of the show

CAPTION(S):

SURPRISE: Winner Rachel Rice leaves the Big Brother house to meet presenter Davina McCall, above, Mikey Hughes, right with Davina, was runner-up with 49.7% of the public vote, while Sara Folino, left, was in third place