SOUTHAMPTON-born film director Ken Russell has sensationally quit Celebrity Big Brother, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Russell, who lives in the New Forest, became the second celebrity in three days to walk out of the house after Big Brother granted his request to leave.

He had threatened to quit this morning after getting fed up with Jade Goody's mum Jackiey, but his departure followed a stand-up row with her Jade herself at lunchtime.

He made up with Jade minutes later but then secretly told Big Brother that he was ready to leave the house - and nothing would stand in his way. He had a final cup of tea before leaving via the diary room.

Russell's wife Elize told the Daily Echo yesterday she thought it was possible he would walk out rather than wait to be evicted. Russell himself had predicted he would be able to last a week in the house.

Russell, 79, walked out on the fifth day of the Channel 4 reality show. Fellow contestant Donny Tourette, singer with punk band Towers of London, had already escaped by scaling the fence surrounding the compound on Friday night.

When Russell's former housemates found out he had gone, some were saddened.

Others, however, were relieved they would no longer be plagued by his snoring.