So how do you feel going back in after 9 years?
From a fans point of view I’m really looking forward to it and seeing who else I might be in there with. But as a previous winner I’m thinking ‘what the f*** am I doing?!’ People say never go back but I think with Big Brother it’s different, its been so amazing for me in the past nine years I think it’s the right thing to do. Even to get asked is an amazing thing. They could’ve picked anyone and they picked me so from an arrogant point of view I’m chuffed!
Do you think it’s going to be really different from last time?
Yep. I was 22 then. My broad appeal 9 years ago was that I was young, very vulnerable; I’d only just come out to my parents the week of the show and all that has changed. I’m not a vulnerable, I’m more independent. If someone starts on me I won’t be afraid. Unless it’s Pete Burns – I’m scared of him, if he says jump I’d say how high?!
People want more now, otherwise they get bored. Like the Tree of Temptation. I’ve already decided by the way if he speaks to me I’m just going to ignore him. If he calls me ‘oi fatty’ or something I’m just doing to blank him because then he can’t acknowledge it. I’d be no good at secret tasks. This time I won’t be afraid to upset people.
What can fans of you expect to see this time round then?
I think I’m essentially the same, a bit more independent and a bit more outspoken. And there’s more of me, I’m not 11 stone anymore! I owe everything I have to this show, I’m so grateful and it’s all about closure, going back into the house that started everything. I owe it to people who vote in a way.
Who would you like and not like to be in there?
I think it’d be nice to meet Josie. I think she has to win out of everyone in there. She could be my saviour! I’d be very intimidated by Pete Burns. John McCririck, my eyes are hurting already at the vision of him wearing his underwear all the time. Maybe I should just wear my underwear the whole time. Then anyone aggressive from the normal series, I think I’d like to live with Nikki but all those tantrums… a lot of those girls didn’t get on, it’s petty, it’s all about hair and clothes at the end of the day!
Is there anything that you would hate Big Brother to make you do?
There’s one task that I’m dreading and that’s the electric shock one with the suits. I couldn’t bare that. I wouldn’t like any of the staying awake for 24 hours and remembering stuff. When I’m tired I’m cranky because I’m a bit spoilt.
What tasks do you love?
Anything with dressing up. When I did sm:TV with Tess we used to love dressing up, so anything like that. Maybe even leaving the house like when David and Lisa did the alien task. It’s amazing, stuff like that is cool. It’d be good to bring back the old tasks. Ignore the Obvious I’d find quite difficult because I’m very nosey and gossipy and I couldn’t ignore it. Especially anything like the strippers in the shower – I’d have been in there with him!
Do you have and tactics or strategy for winning?
I’m not that competitive, I never have been, I can’t go into this thinking of anything because you never know what’s going to happen. I just want to go in relaxed. You can’t have a game plan because you f*** it up straight away. I’ve not been on holiday in two years, this is my holiday. This is my two weeks in Majorca!
Do you think you can win it?
I don’t expect to make it to the final because I’m not the person I was 9 years ago. I don’t believe you can win it twice. There’s always someone who deserves to win it and I think it ought to be someone who represents what Big Brother is. And I don’t think it should be a celebrity. We were in for 9, 10, 11, 12 weeks, they got s***loads of money to do it. We’re the original. A normal housemate needs to win it.
Who do you think it Ultimate Big Brother housemate?
Someone like Nikki Graeme or Nadia. Nadia was amazing, and Nikki was just great television. I may want to kill her if I live with her but she’s great telly to watch. Nadia for me it represents hope. And Jade was an amazing housemate. You gotta have a journey; it’s what it’s all about.
Tagged in Big Brother Brian Dowling