It’s hard to believe that this week marks 25 years since the original reality TV phenomenon Big Brother first aired. Among its most iconic stars is Brian Dowling, who entered the Big Brother house in 2001 as a 22-year-old and emerged a winner. Now, 24 years after his life-changing victory, Brian sat down to discuss fame, family, and the challenges of being in the public eye on Loose Women.
Brian reflected on his time in the Big Brother house, describing it as a raw and authentic social experiment compared to the heavily produced reality shows of today. “We didn’t know what we were getting into,” he recalled. “It was one task a week—training a dog, keeping a fire lit. It wasn’t overly produced; it was just people left to their own devices.” His second stint on the show, in 2010’s Ultimate Big Brother, felt much more polished and structured, a far cry from the unfiltered experience he had the first time.
The fame that followed his victory was overwhelming and unexpected. “I was an air steward for Ryanair before the show,” Brian shared. “Then suddenly there were fireworks, people throwing knickers at me, secret hotels, bodyguards—it was like Hollywood status.” He noted the cultural shift in reality TV over the years, commenting that opportunities for contestants have evolved. “Now, people go in with agents and magazine deals. Back then, it was just a whirlwind.”
A particularly poignant part of Brian’s Big Brother journey was his decision to come out publicly during the show. He recounted the emotional moment of embracing his mother after his win, fully as his authentic self. “That was the first time I hugged my mom as her gay son,” he said, reflecting on how meaningful that moment was, especially since his mother’s passing in 2018.
Fast forward to today, and life looks very different for Brian. Now 47, he is a devoted father to two daughters, aged three and one, with his husband Arthur. However, their journey to parenthood hasn’t been without challenges. Their children were born via surrogacy, with Brian’s sister acting as the surrogate. Yet, despite being a loving and committed father, Brian has no legal rights over his children, as the laws in their country have yet to catch up with modern family structures. “In my daily life, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “But if something were to happen to Arthur, it could become an issue.”
The joy of parenthood has also been overshadowed by the dark side of public life: online abuse. Brian opened up about the extreme trolling his family has endured, including threats and false allegations about their parenting. “We’ve had to involve the guards,” Brian revealed. “People made threats about our children and even suggested they should be taken from us. It’s terrifying.”
For Brian, the abuse feels rooted in prejudice. “I think a lot of it is homophobia,” he said. “Arthur and I are two men raising children, and my husband is also a refugee. We tick every box for what some people dislike about progress.” Despite the pain, Brian offered a thoughtful message to those who engage in trolling: “Stop and think. Hurt people hurt people. If you’re struggling, reach out for help.”
Throughout the interview, Brian’s resilience and humor shone through. Whether reminiscing about his Big Brother days or sharing the chaos of parenting two young children, he exuded warmth and authenticity. And while he joked about having received more votes to win Big Brother than Tony Blair did to become Prime Minister, Brian’s message was clear: life is about embracing who you are, protecting those you love, and standing strong in the face of challenges.
As he wrapped up the discussion, Brian left viewers with a glimmer of hope for the future. “There will come a time when these trolls are held accountable,” he said. Until then, Brian continues to navigate life with humor, strength, and a deep love for his family.
