Nick Bateman thinks he was ‘quite tame’ on Big Brother – despite earning the nickname Nasty Nick.
The reality star, 55, competed in the very first series of the hit reality show – which is being revived by ITV on Sunday – in 2000 and became known for playing his fellow housemates off of one another.
He was eventually evicted on day 35 after his fellow contestants learnt of his behaviour, but has now insisted that he was actually was ‘quite tame’ when compared to the standards of modern reality shows.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine on Friday, he said: ‘I think I was pretty tame compared to what most contestants got up to now on reality TV in the UK. It was quite sweet really looking back on it.
‘We just thought no one was watching. We used to think producers were playing tricks and playing crowd chanting outside.’
Not-So Nasty Nick: Big Brother star Nick Bateman reflected on his time on the show as he appeared on Friday’s Lorraine ahead of hit show’s revival on the weekend
Throwback: The reality star, 55, competed in the very first series of the hit reality show in 2000 and became known for playing his fellow housemates off of one another
After finding fame, Nick went on to present Trust Me and competed in Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 but moved to Australia more than a decade ago.
He said: ‘I’ve been here 12 years and it’s just much nicer. Blue skies, great weather, great food. Its refreshing and its nice to be somewhere where you’re happy!’
The TV star does not have any regrets about his time on the show and revealed that he is still recognised by members of the public, but they tend to think that he is from a soap at first.
He added: ‘They think I am from The Bill or Coronation Street, they think “I know your face but I don’t know where from.”
‘I have no regrets, we all make decisions in life and you must have to stick by it, you can’t change it.’
Nick was joined by fellow Big Brother star Brian Dowling – who won the second series of the show in 2001 and later won Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 – who attested that his former housemate is in fact a ‘true gentleman’.
He said: ‘I lived with Nick for Ultimate BB. He is a gentleman and we had to dance to Britney Spears for a challenge and I have great memories’.
The former SMTV presenter met now-husband Arthur Gourounlian in a London club shortly after his victory and went on to add that ‘everything’ he has in his life now is because he signed up for the show in the first place.
He said: ‘I have such happy memories from being in the house. BB changed my life. I met my husband through it.
‘Everything that has happened wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the show.’
Friends reunited: Nick was joined by fellow Big Brother star Brian Dowling – who won the second series of the show in 2001 and later won Ultimate Big Brother
Brian revealed: ‘I lived with Nick for Ultimate BB. He is a gentleman and we had to dance to Britney Spears for a challenge and I have great memories’ (pictured together on the show)
Big Brother fans have been given their first look at the brand new house ahead of the reality show’s return on Sunday.
This year’s contestants are yet to be announced – but the deadline for applications has now passed.
The legendary narrator of Big Brother Marcus Bentley has reportedly signed up for the job once again on the upcoming reboot of the show.
Gateshead-born voice-over artist Marcus, 55, became synonymous with the programme after it launched on Channel 4 in 2000 and he stayed with the reality series up until its last run on Channel 5 in 2018.
Big Brother: The Launch is on ITV1, STV, ITV2 and ITVX on Sunday 8th October from 9pm.
Coming soon! Big Brother fans have been given their first look at the brand new house ahead of the reality show’s return on Sunday
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