Donna Preston has become a familiar face to millions of British TV viewers. She shot to fame as Despair in Netflix’s The Sandman. In 2025, she entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. She finished in fourth place behind JoJo Siwa, Danny Beard and Jack P. Shepherd [citation:1].
The 38-year-old comedian has built an impressive career over the past decade. She has worked alongside Hollywood stars and comedy legends. Therefore, this guide covers everything about Donna Preston’s life, career and time in the CBB house.
Who Is Donna Preston? Age and Early Life
Donna Marie Preston was born on 6 June 1986 in York, North Yorkshire [citation:1]. She grew up in the historic city and attended Fulford School. She later studied at York College before training at Rose Bruford College in London [citation:1].
Preston stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall [citation:7]. She has aqua blue eyes and golden bronze hair. The Gemini native turned 39 years old in 2025 [citation:7].
Her Breakthrough Role in The Sandman
Preston’s most famous role is Despair in Netflix’s The Sandman. The series adapts Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed comic books. Her character is the antithesis of her sister Desire [citation:9]. also delivered a haunting and memorable performance.
She reprised the role in Dead Boy Detectives, another Gaiman project released in 2024 [citation:2]. She also played Mrs Sandwich in Good Omens alongside fellow Sandman cast member Crystal Yu [citation:2].
For more on actors who found fame on streaming platforms, read about Lauren Jaine’s modelling career.
Comedy Work and Television Career
Preston hosted ITV’s Apocalypse Wow in 2021. The Guardian’s TV reviewer called it “the worst thing you will ever see with your eyes” [citation:4]. She also starred as Tracey in Hey Tracey! on ITV2, alongside Joel Dommett [citation:1].
She appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show executing pranks on the public. She wrote and co-produced Fully Blown for BBC Three. This series earned a Broadcast Digital Award nomination in 2020 [citation:1].
Her panel show appearances include 8 Out of 10 Cats, Guessable, and CelebAbility [citation:7]. She also performed on The Mash Report, Famalam and The Stand Up Sketch Show.
Film Roles and Voice Work
Preston has appeared in several major films. These include Grimsby with Sacha Baron Cohen, The Hitman’s Bodyguard with Ryan Reynolds, and Holmes & Watson with Will Ferrell [citation:2]. She also featured briefly in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as a circus compère [citation:2].
She has lent her voice to Discovery Channel, BBC and Channel 4. Her voice acting credits include the video games Tales and The Apotheosis Project [citation:8].
Celebrity Big Brother 2025: Fourth Place Finish
In April 2025, Preston entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. She competed on the twenty-fourth series of the ITV show [citation:1]. The line-up included Mickey Rourke, Patsy Palmer and JoJo Siwa [citation:4].
Preston finished in fourth place behind JoJo Siwa, Danny Beard and Jack P. Shepherd [citation:1]. Her appearance raised her public profile significantly. She also appeared on Big Brother: Late & Live as a celebrity houseguest [citation:2].
Controversy: Bullying Allegations
In April 2025, The Sun reported claims that Preston bullied Christine McGuinness. McGuinness said an unnamed star reduced her to tears on Hey Tracey! [citation:4]. She wrote in her autobiography: “I’ve got no f***ing idea who you are. I don’t care who you are, I don’t know what you’re even doing here.” [citation:4]
McGuinness said Preston later apologised via social media. The actress has never commented publicly on the story [citation:4]. Joel Dommett said: “At the end of the day it is a comedy show. It was made in jest.”
Donna Preston’s Net Worth in 2026
Donna Preston’s estimated net worth ranges between £1 million and £5 million [citation:3][citation:5]. She has earned this from acting, writing, and television appearances. Her role in The Sandman significantly boosted her profile and earning potential.
Preston keeps her personal life private. and has no public relationship information. She enjoys travelling and trying different cuisines, particularly seafood [citation:7]. She has a pet cat named Mr. Bigs [citation:7].
Why Donna Preston Is Trending in 2026
Donna Preston continues to trend for several reasons. Her Celebrity Big Brother appearance introduced her to new audiences. Her role in The Sandman remains popular on Netflix. The bullying controversy also generated media attention. Additionally, fans remain curious about her upcoming projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Donna Preston?
Born 6 June 1986. She is 39 years old as of 2025 [citation:7].
What is Donna Preston’s net worth?
Estimated between £1 million and £5 million [citation:3].
What is Donna Preston famous for?
She is famous for playing Despair in Netflix’s The Sandman [citation:1].
Was Donna Preston on Celebrity Big Brother?
Yes. She finished fourth in the 2025 series [citation:1].
Who did Donna Preston play in Good Omens?
She played Mrs Sandwich in season two [citation:2].
Is Donna Preston married?
She keeps her personal life private. No public relationship information exists [citation:3].
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