Big Brother winners through the years: A look at where the series’ champions are now – so how many do YOU recognise?

Big Brother is finally set to make its return to screens on Sunday five years after it was taken off air. 

The upcoming series – the first to air on ITV2 – will be the 20th iteration of the show since it first debuted in 2000.

19 people have won the civilian version of the show including the likes of Josie Gibson, Kate Lawler and Brian Dowling.

While some have gone on to careers in the limelight, others decided fame wasn’t for them and went back to their regular lives. 

As fans prepare for another six weeks of watching the goings on inside the country’s most famous, MailOnline takes a look back at the show’s previous winners. But how many do YOU recognise?

Big Brother 1 – Craig Phillips

Memorable: Craig Phillips became the first winner of Big Brother in 2000 and took home the show’s then prize money of £70,000

Family: Craig, who now works as a property developer, is married to wife Laura and father to daughter Nelly and son Lennon

Craig Phillips, 51, became the first winner of Big Brother in 2000 and took home the show’s then prize money of £70,000.

The Liverpool native worked as a builder prior to the show and went on to present a number of renovation-related shows over the years.

He released his autobiography in 2009 and has made numerous appearances on Big Brother’s spin-off shows throughout its run.

Craig, who now works as a property developer, is married to wife Laura and father to daughter Nelly and son Lennon.  

Big Brother 2 – Brian Dowling

Heartwarming: Brian Dowling became a father in 2022 when he and his husband Arthur Gourounlian welcomed a daughter named Blake

Brian Dowling, 45, was crowned the winner of series two, beating runner-up Helen Adams with 58% of the public vote.

Brian, who worked a flight attendant prior to the show, came out as gay to his parents just two days before he entered the house.

He quickly launched a career in the media after winning the show and hosted Big Brother when it moved to Channel 5 from 2011 to 2013.

He continues to present shows on Irish TV and serves as the narrator on The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

Brian became a father in 2022 when he and his husband Arthur Gourounlian welcomed a daughter named Blake, with Brian’s sister Aoife serving as the couple’s surrogate. 

Big Brother 3 – Kate Lawler

Personal: These days, Kate Lawler hosts her own podcast called Maybe Baby and gives her followers an insight into her life as mother to two-year-old daughter Noa

Mere weeks after she won the 2002 series, Kate Lawlor, 43, became a radio presenter and DJ on Capital FM. 

She appeared in various men’s magazines over the years including Nuts and Zoo and appeared on Celebrity Love Island in 2006.

These days, Kate hosts her own podcast called Maybe Baby and gives her followers an insight into her life as mother to two-year-old daughter Noa who she shares with her husband Martin ‘Boj’ Bojtos.

Big Brother 4 – Cameron Stout

Career: Cameron Stout who won in 2003 now works for BBC Radio Oakley

Cameron Stout, 52, was working as a fish trader when he won the 2003 series aged 32.

He has since gone on to work as a TV presenter, radio DJ and panto actor and currently works on BBC Radio Oakley.

Cameron previously told how he is still in touch with many of his former housemates and would happily take part in the show again.

Speaking on Good Morning Scotland, he said: I would certainly do it again with my housemates, the ones I was in there with… I think our year has done better than most in keeping in touch with everyone.’ 

Big Brother 5 – Nadia Almada

Wow: Nadia Almada, 46, made Big Brother history when she became the first transgender person to both take part in and win the show in 2004

Now: She went on to train as a hairdresser after winning the fifth series and now works as a stylist (pictured in 

Nadia Almada, 46, made Big Brother history when she became the first transgender person to both take part in and win the show in 2004.

Popular with the public, she later appeared in Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 and was the third person evicted from the house.

After the show, Nadia released the single A Little Bit Of Action and made various appearances on game show.

She went on to train as a hairdresser after winning the fifth series and now works as a stylist.  

Big Brother 6 – Anthony Hutton

Family life: Anthony Hutton now owns a barbershop and shares son Cruz with his partner Sophie

Anthony Hutton, 41, almost lost out on his chance to appear on Big Brother when he nearly didn’t answer the phone call from producers because it was from an unknown number.

The Newcastle native admitted he went into a ‘dark place’ after winning the show after spending his winners on cars and trips with his pals to Las Vegas.

Anthony, who also bought his mother a house with his winnings, opened his own barbershop in Durham back in 2016 and he is also a keen boxer.

He is now in a relationship with his partner Sophie and the couple are parents to son Cruz. 

Big Brother 7 – Pete Bennett

Where are they now: Pete Bennett has made appearances in a few short films over the years and is currently the frontman of punk band LoVeDoGz

Arguably one of the show’s most memorable winners, Pete Bennett, 41, took home the £100,000 prize money on the 2006 series with 61% of the public vote.

He released his autobiography later that year where he discussed living with tourette’s syndrome. 

Pete has made appearances in a few short films over the years and is currently the frontman of punk band LoVeDoGz.

Big Brother 8 – Brian Belo

Privacy: Brian Belo appears to have chosen a life away from the spotlight and has not appeared on TV since Big Brother 2015 

Brian Belo, 36, won the 2007 series of the show and remains the only winner to not have entered the house on Day 1, instead making his entrance on Day 12.

A superfan of the show, Brian later made a brief return for the 2015 series but left the house after a heated argument with fellow returning winner Helen Wood.

Brian previously sued the makers of The Only Way Is Essex, insisting they copied his idea from a fly-on-the-wall documentary he made called Totally Essex. The case was letter settled.

It appears Brian has since chosen a life away from the limelight as he has not appeared on TV since and also doesn’t appear to have any social media accounts.  

Big Brother 9 – Rachel Rice 

Winner: Rachel Rice won the 2009 series of Big Brother and has since got married and become a teacher 

Unlike other Big Brother winners, Rachel Rice , 39, went immediately back to living a normal life after she won the 2008 series.

The Welsh beauty made only £5,000 after winning the show as she refused to do any lads mag photoshoots.

These days, she is thought to be working as a performing arts teacher and is also married with two sons.

Speaking about her time on the show, Rachel told Wales Online:’ Some people didn’t like me – they said I was boring.

‘They said I was boring because I wouldn’t get involved in discussing who’d be out, I wouldn’t b***h and that I sat on the fence. But I knew my friends and family at home knew the real me. I stayed true to myself.’

Big Brother 10 – Sophie Reade

Wow: Sophie Reade carried on with her glamour modelling career after the show but looks virtually unrecognisable these days

Sophie Reade, 34, won the 2009 series of the show and was known by ‘Dogface’ during most of her time in the house after changing her name by deed poll for a challenge.

The blonde bombshell carried on with her glamour modelling career after the show but looks virtually unrecognisable these days.

The star regularly posts racy snaps to her Instagram and credits Big Brother with giving her modelling career a boost. 

Big Brother 11 – Josie Gibson

Success: Josie Gibson is now a regular presenter on ITV’s This Morning and has appeared on other shows including The Jump and Celebrity Dinner Date

One of the show’s most successful winners, Josie Gibson, 38, won the 2011 series after being the clear favourite from day one.

The bubbly Bristolian enjoyed a brief romance with fellow show contestant John James Parton before they went their separate ways.

Josie is now a regular presenter on ITV’s This Morning and has appeared on other shows including The Jump and Celebrity Dinner Date.

In recent months, it has been reported Josie has signed up for the upcoming series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in a ‘six-figure mega deal’. 

Big Brother 12 – Aaron Allard-Morgan

Business owner: Aaron Allard-Morgan has since left the spotlight and is thought to be running a bar in his hometown

Aaron Allard-Morgan, 42, won the 2011 series of Big Brother, the first edition of the show to be broadcast on Channel 5 after Channel 4 chose not to renew it.

Aaron, a contractor from Weston-Super-Mare, struck up a romance with Faye Palmer during their time in the house but it was short lived.

He has since left the spotlight and is thought to be running a bar in his hometown. 

Big Brother 13 – Luke Anderson

Happy: Luke Anderson has since got married to wife Jamie-Lee and the couple now run a baking business together

Luke Anderson, 42, won the 2012 series of Big Brother after announcing he ws transgender to the nation.

Although he enjoyed his time in the house, Luke admitted he suffered from panic attacks after due to abuse he received from trolls online.

The chef has since got married to wife Jamie-Lee and the couple now run a baking business together.

Big Brother 14 – Sam Evans

Private: It’s not known what Sam Evans is up to these days as he doesn’t appear to have any social media accounts and has stayed out of the spotlight apart from an appearance on a Welsh TV series in 2014

Sam Evans, 33, became the first deaf person to win Big Brother when he took home the £100,000 prize during the 2013 series.

The Welshman had been working in Debenhams prior to taking part in the show and told how he intended to return to his regular job after his win.

It’s not known what Sam is up to these days as he doesn’t appear to have any social media accounts and has stayed out of the spotlight apart from an appearance on a Welsh TV series in 2014. 

Big Brother 15 – Helen Wood

Controversial: Helen Wood released a memoir A Man’s World in 2019 and has since left the public eye

One of the show’s most controversial winners, Helen Wood, 37, won the 2014 series after being given a pass to the final on day one.

The hairdresser was already known prior to the show for having a threesome with Wayne Rooney while working as an escort.

She received warnings from producers during her time in the house for being aggressive towards her fellow housemates.

Helen made a brief return to Big Brother the following year where she received another formal warning for her behaviour towards Brian Belo.

Channel 5 producer Ben Frow later banned her from appearing on Big Brother again and said it was a mistake to bring her back for the 2015 series. 

She released a memoir A Man’s World in 2019 and has since left the public eye.  

Big Brother 16 – Chloe Wilburn

Heartwarming: Chloe Wilburn gave birth to son Vinnie in 2017 with her now husband Dom Tasker and she now runs a baby clothing business called Vinellie

Chloe Wilburn, 34, beat housemate Joel Williams to win the contest in 2015 and was stunned to hear the news, crying after it was announced by host Emma Willis.

The Doncaster native worked as an office administrator before taking part in the show and said she was ‘never going to get out of Donny’. 

Chloe gave birth to son Vinnie in 2017 with her now husband Dom Tasker and she now runs a baby clothing business called Vinellie. 

Big Brother 17 – Jason Burrill 

Success: Jason Burrill has carved out a career as a property developer

Jason Burrill, 52, became the show’s oldest winner when he won the 2016 series aged 45.

Although he was working as a body double at the time, Jason has since carved out a career as a property developer.

‘I was offered lots from my time in Big Brother, but I decided to quit while I was ahead and to focus my efforts on what I know best – business,’ he told The Sun.

‘I used my winnings from the show to invest into property and got back my property development bug which has thankfully paid off.’

Big Brother 18 – Isabelle Warburton

Business: Isabelle Warburton used her £65,000 winnings to open a beauty salon in Manchester

Isabelle Warburton, 27, won the 2017 series of Brother after a 54 day stay in the house, considerably shorter than previous seasons.

She used her £65,000 winnings to open a beauty salon in Manchester.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News about the venture, she said: ‘I want somewhere where people will walk out and think “I look wicked, I feel really good.”‘

Big Brother 19 – Cameron Cole 

Last winner: Cameron Cole has since left the public eye and, according to his Instagram, studied psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London

Cameron Cole, 23, became the youngest winner in the show’s history at just 19 years old when he won the 2018 series, the last to air on Channel 5.

The Norwich native went through a personal journey on the series as he came out as gay to his fellow housemates during his time in the house.

He has since left the public eye and, according to his Instagram, studied psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London.  

Source: Read Full Article