The DIY expert from Liverpool was the first ever winner of the iconic reality show back in 2000 and he has now revealed some behind the scenes secrets from when he left the house
Original Big Brother champ Craig Phillips has opened up about the golden nuggets of wisdom presenter Davina McCall shared with him post his stint in the house.
The Liverpool-born DIY expert, who clinched the title in the ground-breaking reality show's inaugural 2000 series, has spilled some behind-the-scenes insight on what went down after his win.
Hailed as a riveting social study upon its debut on Channel 4, Big Brother thrust participants into a confined space, cut off from the outside world and under constant surveillance.
Audiences were captivated as they watched Craig and his fellow contestants navigate their environment, with Craig winning hearts nationwide when he famously called out 'Nasty Nick' Bateman for his note-passing scheme aimed at swaying nominations.
Craig has now divulged that he kept in touch with Davina McCall, the show's original hostess, whose advice was invaluable as he navigated post-show life, reports MyLondon.
In a chat with BoyleSports, he revealed: "She (Davina) gave me her number and I did call her a few times when I was in trouble. I asked her for advice and guidance and she'd put me in touch with the right people." He added, "She was extremely helpful, kind and caring, and she's a great lady!"
Looking back on his exit from the Big Brother house as its first-ever victor over two decades ago, Craig reminisced that it took him nearly 97 days to make his way back home, with reports likening the frenzy to Beatlemania's heyday in Liverpool.
He explained: "When we first came out of the house, we did a Big Brother book tour, it was mayhem in Liverpool, I had about 6 bodyguards, and the front pages of the Liverpool Echo, who said Beatlemania had come back."
Craig also detailed the support Channel 4 provided due to the unprecedented nature of his fame: "Channel 4 had me sit down with a psychiatrist every week to make sure I was okay. What was happening to me had never happened to anyone before! ".
Discussing the surreal moments and pressures of sudden celebrity status, he reflected, "All these weird, wonderful things were exciting, but it could be scary sometimes. I didn't go home for 97 days after. I changed hotels every single night. I was chaperoned by bodyguards and chauffeurs and press officers and agents. I had this whole entourage who planned every moment and interaction. It was such a whirlwind, a completely different world."
The reality TV star shared an anecdote from a dinner with celebs including Victoria Beckham: "I had dinner with major big name celebrities like Victoria and David Beckham. Victoria said, 'If I wasn't married to David, Craig, I would have come down on the last night of Big Brother and proposed to you! ' Which was very flattering and not something an A-List celeb says to you everyday."
Big Brother has returned to our screens this week, this time on ITV, with a fresh set of competitors eyeing the winner's crown.
Lily Benson, among the recent contestants, has emerged as the early front-runner tipped to clinch the title in the revived series.
The worker at a Chinese takeaway, hailing from Warrington, has been given odds of 11/4 by bookies and could potentially clinch the title, despite eliciting varied responses from the audience.
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
