With Big Brother confirmed to return to UK screens this October on ITV2, and with the news the broadcaster is considering a celebrity version of the show, ICE 36 sat down with BB legend Chantelle Houghton to discuss her experiences in the iconic house.
Chantelle, who famously appeared in Celebrity Big Brother 4 (2006) as the only non-celeb, believes it will be more challenging for contestants entering the show in 2023 than it was for her.
She said: “If I had to choose to take part in Big Brother now or when I was in the show in 2006, I would definitely pick my era. I think it would have been easier to deal with everything that came my way appearing on the show when I did. I also feel like the show was truly authentic back then, particularly when compared to reality shows at the moment.”
The telly favourite who recently turned 40 claimed that when she was on the show the experience was “purer” and claimed that people are looking for fame and fortune by appearing on reality shows.
She continued: “I feel like the people that go onto reality television are so clued up now. The era that I participated in the show was a little bit purer so to speak. I don’t think that if I went into the house as a 22-year-old now I would have the same experience as I did then. I loved my experience on the show – I wouldn’t want to swap it for anything. I think it would be very, very different (if I went into the house now).”
Describing her own experience leaving the house as a genuine celebrity star, Chantelle said: “After I came out of there, I just went with the flow and allowed myself to be swept up by everything that followed. It was such an amazing ride and I loved every moment of it. I never ever thought that the fame would last forever, so I made sure that I really made the most of every single moment and the opportunity that came my way after being on the show. I enjoyed everything about it.”
She concluded by praising the Big Brother producers and her overall experience participating in the reality show: “I definitely wasn’t ready for what was going to happen. I have to say that I was really well looked after by the producers after leaving the show – they were always checking in on me to see if everything was OK. I’ll always be grateful for my Big Brother experience.”
