Helen received the most votes during Friday night’s live final and was therefore named this year’s champion, triumphing over Ashleigh Coyle, who finished in second place, marking the first time in ‘BB’ history that the last two contestants have both been female.
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Helen Wood, who has triumphed over her housemates to be crowned winner of 'Big Brother'
To say it’s been a turbulent ten weeks in the ‘BB’ house for Helen would be something of an understatement and, despite winning the series, she still hadn’t won over a lot of people, receiving a chorus of boos as she was greeted on her exit.
Introduced by presenter Emma Willis as “one of the most controversial and explosive housemates that we’ve ever had”, Helen admitted that she was shocked to have won the series, explaining: “I’m still waiting for someone to tell me it’s a lie… Ashleigh was the winner.”
She was then shown footage of some of the blazing arguments she’d been involved in during her time in ‘Big Brother’, which had landed her in hot water with producers, who have reprimanded her for her “unacceptable behaviour” on a number of occasions.
Although Helen revealed she was “embarrassed” watching clips of her outbursts, she defended herself in her interview, saying: “When I have an argument with someone, it’s because they’ve been constantly making remarks at me, I don’t know if that’s been shown… but sometimes I take it too far.
“I wanted to make friends but some people in the house made that impossible.”
Helen confessed that she was thankful to have been given her free pass, explaining that without it she’d “probably have been out the first or second week”, due to her argumentative nature.
It would seem that not everyone is happy to see Helen, who has been described as “aggressive” and a “bully” throughout this year’s show, take home the £100,000 prize, with some viewers taking to Twitter to vent their frustrations…
Craig won the first ever series of 'Big Brother', paving the way for over a decade more of bitching, sexual tension and arguing over the shopping budget. (credit:Sean Dempsey/PA Archive)
Brian Dowling(02 of17)
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'Big Brother' really found its feet in series two, when former flight attendant Brian Dowling was crowned the winner. (credit:John Stillwell/PA Archive)
Kate Lawler(03 of17)
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'Big Brother' had its first ever female winner in 2002, with Kate Lawler snatching the title. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
Cameron Stout(04 of17)
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Dubbed the most boring 'BB' ever, series four was eventually won by laugh-a-minute heartthrob, Cameron Stout. (credit:PA Archive)
Nadia Almada(05 of17)
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In one of the best moments in 'BB' history, Nadia was moved to tears with the cheers from the crowd and fireworks that surrounded her as she was named the winner of 'Big Brother 5'. (credit:Andy Butterton/PA Archive)
Anthony Hutton(06 of17)
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It isn't hard to see why the public chose Anthony as their winner in 2005... (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
Pete Bennett(07 of17)
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Pete's win was a typically understated one... (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
Brian Belo(08 of17)
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True, he didn't know who Shakespeare was, but Brian's endearing nature landed him the title of 'BB' winner in series eight. (credit:Stuart Wilson via Getty Images)
Rachel Rice(09 of17)
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Good dress. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Sophie Reade(10 of17)
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Sophie Reade was amazed when she was voted the winner of 'Big Brother 10', but the real star of the show was Davina McCall's quiff.10/10, Davina. Well done all concerned. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Josie Gibson(11 of17)
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After winning 'Big Brother 11', Josie was quickly thrown back into the house when 'Ultimate Big Brother' started, but walked after a few days declaring "I'm not a celebrity I'm just normal".We suppose it was sharing a house with A-listers like Preston from the Ordinary Boys and Makosi that intimidated her so much. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Brian Dowling(12 of17)
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The people's favourite, Brian triumphed over Nadia, Makosi, Josie and - bizarrely - Ulrika Jonsson to be crowned 'Ultimate Housemate'. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
Aaron Allard-Morgan(13 of17)
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In Channel 5's first crack at the 'BB' whip, Aaron Allard-Morgan was named the public's favourite and walked away with the cash prize. (credit:Nat Jag via Getty Images)
Luke Anderson(14 of17)
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In 2012, 'BB' had one of its bitchiest years ever with the housemates basically turning on each other from the get go. Luke Anderson became the second ever transgender winner that year. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Sam Evans(15 of17)
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In what turned out to be a vintage year for 'BB', Sam Evans was voted the winner. Since scooping the prize it's thought he's gone back to his old job at Debenhams. Living the dream. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Helen Wood (16 of17)
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Then there's Helen Wood. Well, what can we say? Her face says it all. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Chloe Wilburn (17 of17)
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While the returning Nikki Grahame was obviously the star of the series, she wasn't eligible to win (sadly). Instead, the 'Timebomb'-themed run was won by normal lass Chloe. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)