Reality-TV fans [1], rejoice: "Big Brother" is making a comeback. After a five-year hiatus, ITV had been teasing the iconic show's return for months, finally confirming the launch date in September. The OG reality experiment will be back in its third iteration (it was previously aired on Channel 4 and Channel 5) on 8 October, airing nightly on ITV2. This time, Aj Odudu and Will Best will be the presenters [2] on hand for all the entrances and evictions, as well as hosting "Big Brother: Late & Live", a nightly show following the main episode full of exclusive footage and dissecting the drama.
As we prepare for new Diary Room rants, it's hard to believe the show, which was named after the all-seeing political ruler in George Orwell's famous novel "1984", first premiered 23 years ago. Davina McCall famously hosted the show on Channel 4 and coined iconic catchphrases, such as "you are live, please do not swear". It became an instant hit and completely transformed television. For the first time ever, cameras recorded everything, even live streaming from the house throughout the day. Contestants would then nominate their two least-favourite housemates each week, and the UK public voted for their favourite, with one (or sometimes more) leaving each week until one was crowned the winner.
The first series was won by Liverpudlian Craig Phillips and went on to launch successful careers for some of the most popular housemates. Alison Hammond [3], now best known for hosting "The Great British Bake Off" and "This Morning", was first on the public's radar thanks to the reality show. And the late Jade Goody rose to prominence after appearing on the series in 2002.
After its initial success, celebrity spinoffs were created starring the likes of Gemma Collins and Perez Hilton, as well as analysis shows "Big Brother's Big Mouth" and "Big Brother's Little Brother" continuing the conversations. After 10 years, Channel 4 axed the show, but the format continued on Channel 5 as series two winner Brian Dowling took over the presenting reins, before Emma Willis took centre stage.
Before the return of the addictive show that will inevitably be filled with drama, it's time to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. From Jade Goody to Brian Belo, read on for a reminder of the most iconic "Big Brother" contestants of all time.
"Big Brother" Series 1: Nick Bateman, 2000
Bateman, who also became known as "Nasty Nick", caused national controversy when he famously tried to cheat in series one by writing down the names of housemates to nominate for eviction. On the flip side, Bateman didn't receive a single eviction nomination during his time on the show. In 2010, he placed fifth on "Ultimate Big Brother".
"Big Brother" Series 2: Brian Dowling, 2001
Dowling became a firm favourite the moment he entered the house thanks to his bubbly personality. The Welshman is remembered for coming out as gay to his parents only two weeks before entering the house. He also confessed to his fellow housemates that he "doesn't like vegetables, salad, or anything healthy".
After winning the show, he became a presenter himself and reentered "Big Brother" in 2010 to win the "Ultimate Big Brother" series. In July 2011, Dowling became the new host of "Big Brother" when it moved to Channel 5 before Emma Willis took over.
"Big Brother" Series 3: Alison Hammond, 2002
One of the biggest success stories to come out of "Big Brother", Hammond was loved for her loud and outgoing personality, as well as that infectious laugh. She might have finished 11th on the show, but she's gone on to become a household name. She appeared on "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2014 and became the celebrity interviewer on ITV's "This Morning", gaining legions of fans for her hilarious chats with the likes of Ryan Gosling [4] and Ryan Reynolds [5]. She now presents the Friday show alongside Dermot O'Leary.
"Big Brother" Series 3: Kate Lawler, 2002
Lawler, who became the loveable girl-next-door contestant of her series, was the first woman winner of "Big Brother" UK. Lawler won the hearts of the nation for her down-to-earth attitude. One of the most memorable moments was when she hilariously fell over whilst getting dressed after having a few too many drinks.
Since winning, Lawler has gone on to become a successful radio presenter on Capital FM and Virgin Radio as well as appearing on more reality TV, including "Celebrity Wrestling" and the original "Love Island" back in 2006. She gave birth to a baby girl in January.
"Big Brother" Series 3: Jade Goody, 2002
Goody was one of "Big Brother"'s most loved contestants. One of her most iconic moments was when she revealed she thought the city of Cambridge was in London and went on to say she believed East Anglia was a foreign country, referring to it as "East Angula". She placed fourth in the series but returned to the house in 2007 as part of "Celebrity Big Brother" series five. Public opinion of Goody changed during this season as she was accused of racially bullying Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. In a bid to apologise, she appeared on the Indian "Big Brother" in August 2008 but left the show early after being told while in the house that she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
She had two sons with Essex TV presenter Jeff Brazier before separating. Her eldest, Bobby Brazier, 19, has just been cast on the TV soap "EastEnders". In February 2009, it was revealed that Goody was terminally ill. She married her fellow "Celebrity Big Brother" housemate Jack Tweed in the same month. Goody passed away on the 22 March 2009, age just 27. There was an increase in people getting cervical-cancer screenings following her death.
"Celebrity Big Brother" Series 4: Chantelle Houghton, 2006
Despite not being a celebrity, Houghton appeared on "Celebrity Big Brother" in a hilarious twist by the producers, as she was tasked with convincing her fellow housemates that she was in a girl band. She formed a romance with contestant Samuel Preston, a singer in the band The Ordinary Boys, and they went on to marry in August 2006. Sadly, the couple divorced 15 months later.
Houghton had her own reality show after "Big Brother" called "Chantelle: Living the Dream" and signed a £300,000 book deal with Random House to publish her autobiography.
"Big Brother" Series 5: Nadia Almada, 2004
Portugese-born Almada was the first transgender contestant to appear on the show. Loved for her open, honest conversations, she won the series with over 70 percent of the final public vote. After leaving the show, she went on to record a song, "A Little Bit of Action", which charted at number 27 in December 2004. With a few TV appearances on "Hollyoaks" and "Come Dine With Me", she appeared on "Ultimate Big Brother" but was evicted on day eight.
"Big Brother" Series 6: Makosi Musambasi, 2005
Musambasi became famous for her incredibly open personality, especially when it came to sex and nudity. She had an onscreen romance with the winning contestant, Anthony Hutton, and gained notoriety for footage filmed in the pool that appeared to show the pair having sex live on TV. She came third and went on to present a music show on MTV and appear on TV shows including "8 Out of 10 Cats".
"Big Brother" Series 7: Grace and Mikey Dalton, 2006
The only "Big Brother" couple to still be together, Grace and Mikey's onscreen romance was compulsive viewing, and fans were thrilled when they got engaged four months after the show ended. While Grace was evicted first, placing 16th, Mikey made it an extra seven weeks, finishing in ninth place. If we ever needed proof that love really can blossom on reality TV (we're looking at you, "Love Island" couples [6]), it's these two.
Earlier this year, they welcomed their fourth child. Mikey is now a property developer, and their relationship has gone from strength to strength. "We still bounce off each other like we did from day one. Obviously we drive each other mad sometimes like any other couple, but we're best friends," Grace told The Sun [7]. So sweet!
"Big Brother" Series 7: Pete Bennett, 2006
Bennett was the first ever contestant to appear on the show with Tourette syndrome and was praised for raising awareness of the condition. The public watched a blossoming romance form between Bennett and fellow housemate Nikki Grahame. Bennett won the show and wrote an autobiography, titled "Pete: My Story". He now owns a cleaning business.
"Big Brother" Series 7: Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, 2006
Horgan-Wallace was a controversial housemate when she entered the "Big Brother" house on day 12 of the show and clashed with contestants Nikki Grahame and Grace Adams-Short. She was voted into the "House Next Door" by the public and was known for being highly argumentative, coining the phrase "know yourself, little girl." She finished third on the show and has become a regular on various TV panel shows and seen at showbiz events.
"Big Brother" Series 7: Nikki Grahame, 2006
The housemate with one of the most famous catchphrases to ever come out of the show, Grahame went down in history for her "Who is she?" rant in the diary room about fellow housemate Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace. The clip has been circulating constantly on social media for years. Her romance with Pete Bennett warmed Britain's hearts as she came fifth on the show.
After "Big Brother", she had a spinoff reality show called "Princess Nikki" and was runner-up on "Ultimate Big Brother" in 2010. Heartbreakingly, Grahame suffered from anorexia nervosa, openly talking of her struggles in two books: "Fragile: The True Story of My Lifelong Battle With Anorexia" and "Dying to Be Thin". She passed away from the illness on 9 April 2021.
"Big Brother" Series 8: Brian Belo, 2007
Loved from the moment he entered the house for his likeable persona, Belo famously told housemates he didn't know who William Shakespeare was. He went on to win the show and became an internet columnist for Heat magazine. He released a single titled "Essex Boy" in 2008, but it failed to chart. He also tried to sue ITV, claiming the concept for the reality show "The Only Way Is Essex" was his original idea, but settled out of court.
"Big Brother" Series 8: Chanelle Hayes, 2010
Hayes kept viewers hooked thanks to her relationship with Ziggy Lichman in the house. Their tumultuous bond meant they were in an on-again-off-again situationship long before the phrase had even been coined. After leaving the show of her own accord, Hayes and Lichman split and she became a regular model for a number of lad's mags. She had a brief stint in music before becoming a mum of two.
"Big Brother" Series 11: Josie Gibson, 2010
Loved for her thick Bristolian accent, Gibson won her series of "Big Brother". She had a famous "Big Brother" relationship with fellow housemate John James Parton, and on day 66, she was selected by the other housemates to receive a ticket to the final. When she left the house, during her interview with Davina McCall, she was told she was now a contestant on "Ultimate Big Brother" and reentered the "Big Brother" house 18 minutes later. On day three, she walked out. Gibson has gone on to carve out a TV career with regular hilarious reporting on ITV's "This Morning".