Borehamwood erupted into a blaze of fireworks as hundreds crowded in the rain to watch the final of Celebrity Big Brother.

Comic Jim Davidson completed the transition from being a suspect in Operation Yewtree to conquering Elstree Studios by being named winner of series 13 of the reality television show.

Mr Davidson was set to enter the house last year instead found himself in a police cell when he was arrested in January last year over sex abuse charges.

He said he had been “damaged” by his experiences adding, “Truth will conquer all."

During the four weeks in the Big Brother house, the funnyman was caught up in a number of rows with singer Linda Nolan and former Apprentice contestant Luisa Zissman.

However, he remained popular with viewers throughout the series and survived a number of eviction votes.

Rap musician Dappy, formerly of N-Dubz, secured second place despite being labelled by fellow housemate Ms Zissman as a “sexist, chauvinistic bigot”.

Dappy told host Emma Willis: "Not in a million years did I think I'd come second."

However the rapper, real name Costadinos Contostavlos, hailed Mr Davidson as a “dad” and said he had helped him get over the death of his own father.

Made in Chelsea star Ollie Lock came third and Ms Zissman came fourth.

The series, which centred on the love triangle between Casey Batchelor, Blue singer Lee Ryan and US actor Jasmine Waltz, has been widely hailed as the most captivating in years, with the final attracting 3.7million viewers.