Original Big Brother winner shares advice from Davina McCall
Original Big Brother winner Craig Phillips has revealed that presenter Davina McCall gave him valuable advice that helped him once he left the house.
The DIY expert from Liverpool was crowned the first ever winner of the iconic reality show back in 2000 and has now shared some secrets from behind the scenes during the aftermath of his victory.
Lauded as a compelling social experiment when it first launched on Channel 4, the series saw people confined in a relatively small space - the Big Brother house - with no outside intervention 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Viewers were hooked watching Craig and his housemates deal with their new surroundings and he became a firm favourite after he confronted 'Nasty Nick' Bateman who was caught scribbling notes in a ploy to manipulate housemate nominations.
Craig has now shared that he stayed in contact with the show's then host Davina McCall, who proved priceless in helping him adapt to his new life after the show ended.
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Speaking to BoyleSports, he said: "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.
"She was extremely helpful, kind and caring, and she’s a great lady!"
Reflecting on the moment he left the Big Brother house as the first winner more than 20 years ago, Craig shared that he didn't return home for around 97 days as papers reported that Beatlemania had returned to Liverpool.
Craig continued: "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.
"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!
"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."
He also revealed a surprising message he received from Victoria Beckham who he met during a celebrity dinner: "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, now broadcast on ITV, has made a comeback this month with a new host of housemates all hoping to scoop the big prize just like Craig.
Out of all of the current contestants, Lily Benson has gained an advantage as she is the early favourite to win the series.
The Chinese takeaway worker, from Warrington, has odds of 11/4 with bookmakers and could go all the way to snatch the crown, despite receiving mixed reactions from viewers.
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.