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'Celebrity Big Brother': First Winner Craig Phillips Says The Show 'Should Probably Come To An End'

'When Channel 5 took it on, I thought that might give it some fresh ideas, but it hasn’t...'
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Entertainment Editor

Original ‘Big Brother’ winner Craig Phillips has admitted he thinks it’s time for Channel 5 to pull the plug on the show.

Former builder Craig won the very first series back in 2000, when it still aired on Channel 4 and famously donated his £70,000 prize money to a friend, so she could undergo a heart and lung transplant.

Almost 18 years later, and Craig has said he thinks ‘Big Brother’ has had its day, and it’s time for the house to close its doors for good.

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Craig with presenter Davina McCall
KEN McKAY/REX/Shutterstock

Speaking to the Shropshire Star (always first with a TV exclusive), Craig said: “People often come up to me and say they have applied for Big Brother or are thinking about it, and ask me what advice I would give them. My honest advice is ‘don’t do it’.

“They say ‘What? You did it’, but I say that was a different show when I went on it.”

He added: “On the one hand it massively changed my life, predominantly for the better, and it would be the end of an era if it was axed.

“On the other hand, from a viewer’s point of view, I think it probably is time for it to come to an end.

“When Channel 5 took it on, I thought that might give it some fresh ideas, but it hasn’t, it’s just continued to decline.” 

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Craig Phillips and some class of massive drill
CALYX/REX/Shutterstock

Over the weekend, it was rumoured that the upcoming series of ‘Big Brother’ would be the last, with only one regular series and one additional ‘Celebrity’ series left on Channel 5’s contract.

‘Celebrity Big Brother’ is currently airing on Channel 5, with a shock triple-eviction planned for tonight (26 January).

'Big Brother' Winners Through The Years
Craig Phillips(01 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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Pete's win was a typically understated one... (credit:Yui Mok/PA Archive)
Brian Belo(08 of18)
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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 of18)
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Good dress. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Sophie Reade(10 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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 of18)
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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)
Jason Burrill(18 of18)
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In another shock win, Jason was crowned the champion of the 2017 run over bookies' favourite Hughie Morgan, much to the disgust of his ex-girlfriend and fellow housemate Charlie Doherty. (credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
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