Nasty Nick Bateman, the iconic Big Brother villain, has said that today’s reality show contestants are worse than him.
The reality star, now 55 and appearing nearly identical, went on the very first series of the iconic programme when it launched on Channel 4 in 2000, before being kicked off by producers for breaching the rules and’manipulating’ nominations.
His activities on the show sparked fury from fans and his fellow housemates, but he has downplayed the gravity of the criticism.
‘You look at programmes today, people do considerably worse!’ he remarked on This Morning as part of a ‘where are they now’ story ahead of Big Brother’s return to ITV later this year.
Nick has moved to Australia since his tenure on the famed reality TV show, but he insists it has nothing to do with his reputation on the show.
‘I moved to Australia because Australia is progressive, beautiful sunshine, it doesn’t rain, cold beers,’ he smiled as he joined the interview on a video call from his home. ‘A million reasons it’s better than the UK!’
While Nick has gone down in television legend, he never expected to be picked as a housemate, and even recalls producers telling him they felt he’d ‘be too dull’.
He reflected: ‘Perhaps 20 years ago I applied for the show, I didn’t think I would get on it, so many people applied.
‘As the process became narrower and narrower, and they were narrowing people down, I thought that I had probably even less chance of chatting on the show. I was quite surprised I was picked.’
Nadia Almada, the show’s first transgender participant, and Kate Lawler, the show’s first female winner, joined Nick for the mini-reunion, which was led by Big Brother veteran Alison Hammond and former presenter Dermot O’Leary.
‘I just had the best summer holiday ever in my life, really. It really was. It was just stepping away from everyday life into a situation that I would have an experience of purely being a person rather than as a label,’ Nadia said.
Asked about the unforgettable occasion she went for a shower in her high heels, she quipped: ‘I still do it. ‘Babes, it’s just another day.’
Meanwhile, Kate, who recalls being ‘very distraught’ when Alison left the house, has some words of wisdom for anybody interested in joining the revival.
‘I’d say if you;re offered a place, do it,’ she said, noting that she was apprehensive even when the offer came in. ‘Be yourself. You can’t be anything but yourself. When the cameras are rolling, you’ll end up being exposed.’
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV1.
