Big Brother winners from Josie Gibson to Brian Dowling – where are the most memorable stars from the hit reality show?
BIG Brother started 23 years ago and following a short hiatus, it is back on ITV2 with a brand new series.
Several ordinary people will enter the iconic house and become reality stars in a matter of weeks. But where are the most famous faces from the Big Brother house now and what directions have their lives taken?
Craig Phillips, 2000
Wait, who?
Scouse bricklayer Craig beat lesbian ex-nun Anna to win the first BB and donated his prize money to fund his pal’s heart and lung transplant.
Most memorable moment
Exposing Nasty Nick for trying to influence the nominations. Boo!
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Life post-BB
Craig appeared on TV shows including 60 Minute Makeover and Renovation Street.
He also had a cameo on Bo’ Selecta!, was on Channel 5 show Back To Reality and released a charity Christmas song, which got to No.14.
Nowadays
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Craig, 51, and his wife present YouTube videos as Mr and Mrs DIY.
He also owns a building firm and often works on sites. What a grafter!
Brian Dowling, 2001
Wait, who?
Ryanair flight attendant Brian beat Welsh hairdresser Helen Adams to win the second series.
Most memorable moment
Brian was crowned Ultimate Big Brother housemate on Channel 4 in 2010.
Life post-BB
He was the first openly gay kids’ TV presenter, working on SMTV Live, and took over from Davina when BB moved to Channel 5.
Nowadays
Brian, now 45, married his boyfriend Arthur in 2015 and they had a daughter in September 2022.
He hosts his own show on Irish radio.
Cameron Stout, 2003
Wait, who?
Devout Christian fish trader Cam beat runner-up Ray Shah by 500,000 votes to be the first (and only) Scottish BB winner.
Most memorable moment
When he revealed to the housemates he was a virgin who didn’t believe in sex before marriage.
Life post-BB
Cam did some TV and radio presenting, plus charity fund-raising, before going back to Orkney and training as a teacher.
He also launched a rock choir and the island’s first escape room.
Nowadays
Cam, now 52, is a headteacher in Orkney and still gets Valentine’s Day cards from fans, but remains single.
Nadia Almada, 2004
Wait, who?
During an explosive series (remember “Fight Night”?) Portuguese shop assistant Nadia made history as the first transgender contestant on BB.
Most memorable moment
With her glam outfits, Nadia was known for her fiery temper and showering while wearing heels.
Life post-BB
She released a song, which reached No.27, appeared on Hollyoaks and even did a workout video.
Nowadays
The curly black bob is now peroxide-blonde, but the heels are here to stay.
She’s still in the UK and working as a stylist with a sideline on OnlyFans.
Anthony Hutton, 2005
Wait, who?
Geordie trainee barber and ’70s disco dancer Anthony was only 23 when he won the sixth series of the show.
Most memorable moment
His steamy hot tub session with Makosi, which – as if we could ever forget – left her thinking she was pregnant.
Life post-BB
He released a ’70s dance workout video and opened a barber’s shop/cocktail bar called Mr Huttons in Darlington.
Nowadays
Anthony, now 40, has a bushy beard, is a keen boxer and has a son with wife Sophie.
He’s closed his bar, but is still offering barber services locally.
Pete Bennett, 2006
Wait, who?
BB7 was full of characters, but Pete, who has Tourette’s syndrome, won.
Most memorable moment
His romance with Nikki Grahame.
They only dated briefly outside the house, but remained friends until her death from anorexia in 2021.
Life post-BB
Pete was in a film and the lead singer in a band, but lost all his prize money, became homeless and battled a ketamine addiction.
His 2010 wedding to wife Cherry was on Four Weddings and in 2016, he set up cleaning company Celebriclean.
Nowadays
Pete got divorced in 2021 and now hosts karaoke nights in Brighton.
Sadly, Celebriclean went down the toilet.
Brian Belo, 2007
Wait, who?
Cheeky Essex chappy Brian beat twins “Samanda” to be crowned winner.
Most memorable moment
When he claimed not to know who William Shakespeare was.
Life post-BB
He reached a settlement with TOWIE bosses in 2013 after claiming he’d developed the idea.
He was in various TV shows, and made a guest appearance in 2015’s BB.
Nowadays
His LinkedIn page says he’s the founder of Yoghurt Productions.
Very, um, cultured.
Sophie Reade, 2009
Wait, who?
Glamour model Sophie from Cheshire received the highest percentage of votes of any winner in BB history.
Most memorable moment
As part of a challenge, she changed her middle name to Dogface.
She had a romance with housemate Kris, but dumped him before the final.
Life post-BB
She became the face of Ann Summers, modelled for Playboy, dated George Lineker and in 2017 had son Walter with footballer David Goodwillie.
They split while she was pregnant.
Nowadays
Thirty-two-year-old Sophie has a big following on OnlyFans
(of course).
Josie Gibson, 2010
Wait, who?
Bristol babe Josie won the hearts of the nation (and Aussie hunk John James Parton) when she triumphed on Channel 4’s last BB series.
Most memorable moment
She re-entered the house 18 minutes after winning to take part in Ultimate Big Brother.
Life post-BB
She released a perfume, got her own reality show, did a workout video and took part in The Jump, but was the first to be eliminated.
Nowadays
Josie, now 38 and mum to Reggie-James, four, has carved out a successful career and presents This Morning regularly alongside Holly Willoughby.
, Josie reflected and told The Sun: "I was so flattered that people would talk to me and be really nice to me.
"But there is a dark side [to fame] and that’s the part I really struggled with, like trusting people."
She explained further: "I was ripped off by people in the business and friends. I’ve learnt to keep my circle small now as you can’t trust people and I realised not everyone was like me."
She has also been subject to death threats and cruel comments from online trolls. Josie said: " struggled with taunts about my looks and weight on social media and in the press but now I don’t care. I had to grow a very thick skin."
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Now, 13 years on since winning the show, Josie says she has been "so so lucky" with the career opportunities she has been presented with as a result.
She added: "I’ve done lots more reality shows, perfumes, DVDs, clothing line, two books, had a column and got to meet amazing people along the way!"