After 26 days in the Celebrity Big Brother house and making it to the highly anticipated final, Gary Busey has been crowned the winner in the highly anticipated finale.

The Hollywood actor, who faced a tough time in the house as he battled it out with one housemate after another during his time on the show, beat pal Audley Harrison, who took the runner-up position.

The screen star, 70, appeared to be in disbelief as host Emma Willis announced that he had clinched the top spot on Friday - becoming the first American ever to do so in the show's history.

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Winner: Gary Busey took the top spot in the grand finale on Friday's Celebrity Big Brother

As he left the house in Borehamwood, Hertfordhsire, to Chesney Hawkes' hit The One And Only, the star was cheered after declaring: 'I love you all. I love every one of you.'

Meeting host Emma Willis at the bottom of the stairs, he told the audience: 'I know why the word Great is in front of Britain.'

After talking about wanting to reunite with his family and spend quality time with them, Gary admitted: 'I didn't think I was selfish, I didn't think I was lazy, I didn't think I was insecure, I didn't think I had fear.

Transatlantic love: The actor told the audience members how much he loved them as he exited the house

Cool, calm and collected: The actor was relaxed after learning that he'd clinched the CBB crown

'This show showed me things about myself that [I] need to change... Big Brother is pefection and they gave me guidance.'

Audley, who was the runner-up, told Emma: 'Second is great... They've picked Gary and I'm okay with that,'

He added of Gary: 'I understood him and I saw that he was trying to change. A couple of times I saw the grumpy old man that nobody wants to see... But he was making adjustments and nobody was giving him credit.'

Friendly rivals: Gary hugged runner-up Audley Harrison as he learned he had won the competition

Runner-up: The onetime Olympic boxing champ said that he was happy to lose to Gary

Magic number three: James Jordan left the Celebrity Big brother house in third place on Friday night

No shrinking violet: The dancer was unapologetic about his blunt way of addressing his housemates

Although the audience initially booed him, James Jordan received a few more cheers as he walked out to face the live audience after taking third place.

As his Strictly Come Dancing star wife Ola Jordan blew him kisses from the audience, James was unapologetic about his outspoken nature, which sparked a series of rows in the house.

His exit came straight after Gogglebox star George Gilbey, who left the house in fourth place.

Fourth place: George Gilbey left the Celebrity Big Brother house in fourth place on Friday

Soon after George stepped out to rapturous cheers from the live audience, one of the first enquiries host Emma Willis made was about his bedroom kiss with Edele Lynch the night before.



'You sure it was my bed?' George joked, before adding: 'Edele's lovely. We had a few drinks, we went to bed and we had a few cuddles.'

But his admission didn't sit well with former housemate Stephanie Pratt, with whom he'd shared kisses previously on the show.

Kiss and tell: George and Edele's bedtime kiss prompted much chatter at the live final

Naughty but nice? The pair's playful romp was aired just before the audience's votes were revealed

A woman scorned: Stephanie Pratt was none too pleased once she learned about this kiss

He laughed awkwardly as Emma out a tweet of Stephanie's from earlier in the day.

It read: 'Still haven't picked an outfit for tonight's finale!!!! Need something cute for when I see my ex-husband & his new wife edele'

Earlier in the night, White Dee and Edele left in fifth and sixth place, respectively.

Evicted: White Dee and Edele Lynch left the Celebrity Big Brother house in fifth and sixth place, respectively

Not-so-glamorous exit: Edele relied on the help of Dee to find her footing after stumbling on the steps

Back on her feet: Once Edele regained her balance, she and Dee posed for the cheering audience

The housemates joined hands as they walked down the steps together to loud cheers from the live audience.

When Edele came out of the house, host Emma was quick to ask her about the kiss she was seen sharing with 'cuddle buddy' George under the covers the previous night.

'It was just a very cute little kiss that we had under the covers,' the Irish beauty coyly shared. 'It was enjoyable They gave me two bottles of daiquiri last night. It helped!'

DIY: Lauren Goodger served as her own glam squad as she re-applied some lipstick during the live show

Last but not least: First evictee David McIntosh was seen sitting next to Leslie Jordan during the live show

Strike a pose: Lauren gave her best pout as she and Ricci Guarnaccio posed for the cameras

Party time! Kellie Maloney and Stephanie Pratt got into the spirit of things as they soaked up the atmosphere

On a less friendly note, White Dee spoke about her bumpy relationship with eventual champ Gary.

She branded him an 'amazing guy' and 'a font of all knowledge', but added that she often found him 'irrational'.

White Dee drew boos from the audience as she added of the Hollywood actor: 'I think there's a difference between being eccentric and rude.'

As well as the finalists, those who had previously exited the house were also in attendance on the night, including David McIntosh, Lauren Goodger, Stephanie Pratt, Kellie Maloney, Frenchy, Claire King, Ricci Guarnaccio and Leslie Jordan.

Warm reception: Former housemates Frenchy and Claire King shared laughs as they saw Gary get crowned

Blonde beauty: Stephanie flashed her tanned legs in a sexy navy ensemble