KEN RUSSELL'S stay in the Celebrity Big Brother house came to an abrupt end yesterday when he walked out.

The Hampshire film director left the show after a series of arguments with new housemates Jade Goody and her mother Jackiey.

He walked out less than 48 hours after singer Donny Tourette quit the show over the servant/master task which saw some of the housemates waiting hand and foot on the others.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, his wife Elize said: "He made the choice because he could see the situation getting worse."

The final straw for Ken came when he and Jade argued over cheese.

The bust up happened when Ken, 79, helped himself to some cheese and biscuits even though Big Brother insisted only "servant" housemates can prepare food as part of a task.

Jade screamed that he had ruined the task but Ken hit back saying: "I am absent minded. I forget we're being waited on."

After being released from the show Elize said Ken thought he was the laughing stock of the programme He was shocked when she told him that he was one of the most popular housemates and added that he was quite keen to go back into the house now he knew that.

Russell had enjoyed his time in the house but everything changed on Friday night when the housemates were divided into two groups and he, Bollywood star Shilpa and singer Jermaine found themselves sharing the house with Jade Goodie, her boyfriend and mother Jackiey.

Explaining his decision in the diary room, Russell said: "I am a big old fuddy duddy and some of the surprises were a little too much to take for someone of my sensibility."

Russell is currently staying in a hotel in London where the makers of the show are still keeping an eye on him.

Elize said that Russell was in good spirits and had greatly enjoyed the experience.

"He said that he had the time of his life. He was moved by how good Jermaine, Leo and Shilpa were to him and how they took care of him," she said.

"He definitely wants to stay in touch with them. He said it's like going through a tsunami together."

She added that her husband was surprised to discover from the other housemates that he was a loud snorer.

"In his mind he was the laughing stock of the house," she said.

"He said to me In seven years why didn't you tell me I snored?'."