The return of Big Brother after a five-year hiatus has left many fans feeling nostalgic, as they recall previous seasons of the programme before it made its big comeback on ITV.
Some have wondered what happened to the housemates who became overnight sensations in the early 2000s, like Craig Coates.
Craig, a 20-year-old hairstylist, finished fifth in 2005, characterising himself as “fit, fanciful, and deceitful” at the time. Anthony Hutton was proclaimed the champion two days later.
He experienced a major makeover over the years as he began on a massive career move by entering the navy, becoming nearly unrecognisable in the process.
Craig posted about his accomplishments after entering the military in 2014 on his Facebook page, completing his final exam in September of that year.
The reality star revealed the following month that he was learning how to fire a rifle, uploading a photo of himself in his navy outfit, complete with a beret.
Craig expressed his anxieties after ‘finally’ stepping out to sea after a year of training in November 2014.
Despite his navy training, it appears that he has returned to his previous career as a hairdresser in the years following, declaring in 2021 that he had become the proprietor of Chalk Hairdressing in Norwich, Norfolk.
Craig does, however, have a tie to his previous employment, since his husband appears to still be a member of the royal navy.
One time, his spouse Joe appeared on the TV ‘representing the royal navy’, with the former Big Brother star saying that he ‘couldn’t be prouder’.
Big Brother’s new relaunched series has already proven to be a sensation, with one of the most emotional moments occurring when Hallie revealed to the other residents that she is trans.
‘Hey, guys. I just have something to say. Yesterday I felt like I wasn’t being 100% authentic in myself,’ the 18-year-old said.
‘I thought I’d let everyone know I’m trans, if you didn’t know already. I just thought I’d make that loud and clear. I’m a trans woman, if you didn’t know.’
Hallie was greeted warmly, and dancer Olivia, 23, urged everyone to walk around the table and declare their pronouns.
Big Brother returns tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
