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Climbing to the top of the Big Brother fame game has catapulted many to stardom, with the glitter of celebrity life beckoning.
But as the final credits get ready to roll on the latest explosive series of Big Brother on ITV2, it's time to shine the spotlight on those winners who've swapped the red carpet for the road less travelled – back to the grind of their day-to-day lives.
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From the Orkney fish trader Cameron Stout to the loveable everyman Brian Belo, we're dishing out the detaisl on the Big Brother champs who've ditched the dizzy heights of fame and returned back to their normal lives before the show.
Cameron Stout
Before his Big Brother experience, Cameron Stout was a fish trader in Orkney, Scotland, and garnered media attention due to his devout evangelical Christian beliefs.
After his victory on the show, he ventured into a different creative field, taking up roles in pantomimes, which showcased his versatile talents. That includes becoming a patron of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, starring in a number of pantomimes at the theatre.
“There have been lots of high points,” he added. Transitioning to a career in journalism, Cameron has since become a respected voice, writing for both local and national newspapers, including The Sunday Post. The Stromness resident is now part of the news team at BBC Orkney where he produces and presents radio programmes.
When he’s not on the radio, he occasionally fills in as a head teacher at one of the island schools and performs with his choir – Orkney Rocks.
Pete Bennett
Pete Bennett's journey in the Big Brother house was marked by his vivacious personality and his notable romance with fellow contestant Nikki Grahame. After winning the show, Pete confronted personal challenges, including a battle with addiction, which he openly discussed on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2010.
Showing resilience and determination, he founded a cleaning business, proving his entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, Pete explored the entertainment industry further by dabbling in acting, with appearances in notable projects like Catherine Tate's Nan Movie.
Brian Belo
Brian Belo, after his Big Brother triumph, attempted to carve a niche in the music industry with the release of Essex Boy. Brian also made his stage debut in The Vegemite Tales and also appeared in Hollyoaks. He also performed in productions of Shakespeare plays as part of Stratford-upon-Avon's Shakespeare Aloud initiative.
However, he eventually chose to step away from the limelight. His decision to avoid social media was a deliberate choice for privacy and a departure from his public persona. His last significant media appearance was in 2013, involving a legal dispute with the creators of TOWIE, which ended in a settlement. Brian claimed that the makers of the structured reality soap had adapted and reproduced part of a format he had originally developed with Sassy Films and Massive TV.
Rachel Rice
Rachel Rice, victorious in 2008, made a conscious decision to forgo the pursuit of fame, choosing a career in education. She utilised her winnings to clear her student loans and generously donated the remainder to charity. Rachel now embraces motherhood with her two sons, Lachlan and Caleb after marrying husband Richard Jenkins in 2011. She currently teaches performing arts, drama and music at a Welsh comprehensive school
Luke Anderson
Luke Anderson’s win on Big Brother was a landmark moment as he became the first trans man to win the show. Instead of chasing celebrity status, Luke, 41, pursued his passion for cooking, achieving notable success by being named chef of the year in 2010 and opening up his own bakery in North Wales. His personal life is equally fulfilling, with a marriage to his wife Jamie and the joy of parenting twins.
He recently spoke out and said he is struggling to keep his bakery open after his energy bills quadrupled from £400 to £1,600 a month. The father-of-two, who won Big Brother in 2012, said expressed his frustration on social media asking: “How on earth are we meant to run a business, when the electric bill has jumped to 5 times the cost?
Sam Evans
Sam’s life post-Big Brother has been more private, with reports indicating his desire to return to a career in retail and television. His commitment to advocacy, particularly in raising awareness about hearing difficulties has dominate his life since the show. He travelled to Malawi to visit many deaf Malawians and become “a powerful ambassador for Sound Seekers work in Malawi and beyond for a long time to come.”
It's clear the star had a very giving side, when he offered to give away a huge portion of his winning to charity just moments after the show. After exiting the house, Sam was asked what he was going to do with the £100,000 prize money. I'll give 25% to charity, 25% to my mum and family, and 50% for my future to make it secure,” he said.
Helen Wood
Helen's journey in and out of the Big Brother house was tumultuous. Helen was known for having a threesome with Wayne Rooney. Her altercation with Brian Belo on the show dominated headlines at the time. Helen explained how Brian had stripped naked in front of her, goaded her with insults, and screamed in her face to leave her intimidated. "We were having breakfast, strawberries and croissants, then he randomly stood up in the middle of us eating.
"He walked over to me, stripped off his clothes until naked, while heavy-breathing he then curled up in a foetal ball on the floor, spread his cheeks, had all his a**e and b******s hanging out," she revealed to the Daily Star at the time. "The two comments I made were wrong and if I could retract them I would. He isn't a murderer and he isn't a rapist.” Her path has seen significant changes. Post-Big Brother, Helen chose to leave her controversial past behind, dedicating herself to caring for her mother with dementia.
Chloe Wilburn
Before entering the Big Brother house, Chloe – who was working as an office administrator at the time – said that she was "never going to get out of Donny". A Doncaster lass through and through, Chloe said that she loved "being normal" and that staying in her hometown was "fine by me". She is also the owner of her very own baby clothing company, Vinellie.
The company produces custom made clothing for little ones, as well as bespoke homewear and accessories. Their Instagram feed is full to the brim of adorable onesies, pint-sized playsuits and sweet little slippers. Her dad made headlines when he was sent to prison for his part in a drug dealing and money laundering operation in 2015. Her life has also seen significant personal milestones, including becoming a mother and getting engaged.
Cameron Cole
Now 24-years-old, Cameron was only 19 when he won the 2018 series, which was billed as the last ever. The youngest ever winner of Big Brother made headlines by coming out as gay on the show. His candidness and authenticity were praised by the show's presenter, Emma Willis. However, following the show's cancellation, Cameron opted for a life away from the public eye and, according to his Instagram, studied psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Five years after winning the last series of the reality show and its £100,000 prize, the star made his way to the new house for launch night last month. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted him in the audience on TV but were left scratching their heads when new hosts Will Best and AJ Odudu didn't speak to him. One viewer fumed on X: " Cameron Cole, previous winner of Big Brother sat in #bbll audience being totally ignored."
Big Brother airs Sunday to Thursday on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm followed by Big Brother Late & Live at 10pm
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