Big Brother housemate Paul appears to have second thoughts about his flirtation with Helen, saying he regrets getting involved with her.

Paul Clarke, 24, and Helen Adams, 22, have had the tabloids and the show's viewers gripped as to whether they will begin a romance on-screen.

I'm going back to my life, she's going back to hers

Paul

But on Thursday morning the pair were asleep in their own beds by 0200 BST with no sign of their previous cuddles in the den.

Unofficial overnight figures for Wednesday night's show hit 4.4 million.

But that was not enough to beat the 5.1 million people who tuned in to watch their candlelit dinner - the most-watched instalment of the show so far.

Both have been nominated for eviction and one will be kicked out of the house on Friday by the public.

Paul has hinted during a heart-to-heart chat with Elizabeth that the relationship would end the moment they stepped through the doors.

Gavin ended his relationship with Helen last week

"I'm going back to my life, she's going back to hers," he said.

"She obviously has stuff she needs to sort out and then in the future we can go for a drink."

Elizabeth asked how he felt about getting involved with Helen and Paul told her: "Yes, I do regret it."

"In all fairness I feel it's best if one of us does go to cool it down a bit.

I've got interests in a couple of girls out there - you don't know what could happen

Paul

"Don't get me wrong, I don't want her to go, but it could be a good thing."

The pair have been spending increasing amounts of time together, and talked about Helen finishing with her boyfriend Gavin Cox, known as Big G.

But the relationship has already ended as Big G decided he no longer wanted to go out with Helen after watching her antics with Paul.

Paul has repeatedly expressed concern about Helen's boyfriend, saying he did not feel comfortable flirting with her while she was in a relationship.

He blamed the flirting on Helen, and told Elizabeth: "I'm not prompting anything. It's all her.

Brian has never been nominated

"I look at it and I haven't done anything wrong at all.

"Her boyfriend ain't going to be happy, but that's her decision. He's got to understand she's made that decision."

Paul said he thought Helen had done 60% of the flirting between them, and added: "Because I like her, it just happens.

"I'm obviously attracted to her. She's bubbly and doesn't take life too seriously. She's completely my sort of girl."

'Hurtful'

But it appears this is not enough to maintain his interest in Helen outside the house.

"I've got interests in a couple of girls out there. You don't know what could happen," he said.

But Paul's comments have worried his fellow housemates, who think his attitude may hurt Helen's feelings.

Air steward Brian said: "I hope it doesn't make her look like a fool."

It is the fifth time Paul has faced eviction during the series, and he is favourite to be kicked out.