Celebrity Big Brother winner reveals how bosses ‘push stars’ buttons’ as he issues warning to new line-up
CELEBRITY Big Brother winner Alex Reid has revealed how bosses push the housemates buttons to whip up drama – and admitted it makes great telly.
The 2010 champion issued the warning to the new line-up of stars who will be entering the famous compound next month.
Former cage fighter Alex Reid, 48, won the hearts of the nation when he appeared on CBB nearly 15 years ago, and went onto to be crowned winner.
The TV star, who was married to former glamour model Katie Price between 2010 and 2012, was in the house alongside the likes of Vinnie Jones and Dane Bowers.
But speaking exclusively to The Sun, Alex revealed some behind-the-scenes secrets, where he warned potential new housemates producers will “push their buttons”.
He talked about an incident he had in the famous house which saw security almost called in.
Alex told us: “Big Brother was really pushing our buttons, and it was Dane Bowers who was in the diary room and he was telling Big Brother to turn the heating up.
“He was doing a secret task he was given, having a lot of luxury and being fed grapes and having the best food and watching all of us.
“So it was like a sauna, and it got so hot we were absolutely dripping. In the end. like I went to Big Brother a couple of times.
“Asking Big Brother can you turn it down? Three times I went. Then that was it.
“I said, ‘I’m gonna break the door down’, and there’s a door next to the diary room, because there’s windows all around, all blacked out and you can’t see the cameras.
“I went to go and boot the door down, and then all of a sudden, you could see all of the security.
“I was about to run into the glass and heard, ‘Alex, can you come to the diary room, please?’
“Suddenly they say, Sorry, Alex. ‘We will turn the heating down now until the time is needed’.”
Alex made it to the final thanks to receiving the least votes from his fellow housemates, proving he was popular in the house and with viewers.
Recalling some of his favourite memories, he said: “I mean we had a few parties.
“I didn’t get absolutely slaughtered but I remember doing silly things dancing round naked and being caked in fake tan and all the girls helping put the fake tan on my bum and you strip off.
“We got in a Mankini as well. I’ve got pictures of that in a Mankini.”
He added: “This is back in the day when Big Brother was on 24 hours a day 7 days a week, you could watch us at night on camera which I hastened to add, was a little bit embarrassing because there are millions of people watching and you could see my Doodah on camera.”
I said to Big Brother, ‘I’m gonna break the door down’, and there’s a door next to the diary room, because there’s windows all around, all blacked out and you can’t see the cameras.
Alex Reid
Asked whether CBB will get away with that when the show is rebooted next week, he said: “Unfortunately, today you can’t can you? Everybody is so precious. You’re gonna offend someone just by being. And that’s the tricky thing but that’s excellent TV.”
Alex has stepped away from the limelight and is now mentoring young people at St Michael’s fight club.
He said: “We’re giving them survival and coping skills in our extremely turbulent society.
“We’re building extreme confidence to give the young a sense of purpose and community, making their society a nicer more harmonious place for all to live.”
He is now a dad himself, sharing his daughter Dolly with ex Chantelle Houghton.
He also has a daughter with fiancée Nikkie Manashe.
He told us: “My kids being born, and winning fights, and Big Brother, these are things that raise the hairs on the back of my head.
“It’s one of the biggest things. It’s like making people proud and having acceptance. And that was wonderful.”
