Compared to Big Brother, lockdown was definitely easier
It’s now 20 years since Craig Phillips won TV’s first big reality show. He talks to GABRIELLE FAGAN about fame, fatherhood and finding contentment
BEING trapped at home during lockdown certainly wasn’t unfamiliar to Craig Phillips. As the winner of the first Big Brother, he experienced weeks of housebound isolation, along with the pressure of being under constant surveillance.
“It certainly gave me an early taste of lockdown all those years ago,” says the 48-year-old, as he recalls being part of what was arguably the first proper reality TV show back in 2000.
“We were completely isolated from the outside world, with no phones, internet, newspapers – social media wasn’t even born then – and the house didn’t have windows. The garden was walled, with floodlights and live TV cameras beaming down on us. We were basically imprisoned,” he remembers. “By comparison, being in my house and garden with my family throughout lockdown definitely felt far easier!”
Now a regular on DIY shows – like 60 Minute Makeover, Housecall and Craig’s Trade Trips – Liverpudlian Craig was just 28 when he won over viewers on Big Brother. He touched the nation’s hearts with his selfless aim to give the prize money to family friend Joanne Harris, who had Down’s syndrome and needed a heart and lung transplant (Joanne sadly passed away in 2008).
“I had no idea how big the show would be and just thought it was worth a try,” he says. “I thought, ‘Well, I don’t suppose anyone will watch the show, and really how hard can it be to live with 10 other people?’ Actually, it was really tough – you could never switch off with all those cameras on you, and it was hard to deal with all the different personalities,” he reflects.
Big Brother changed the TV landscape and helped spawn the ‘fame game’, where ‘ordinary’ people could suddenly become celebrities overnight.
“My life exploded after I came out, and at times I found the reaction overwhelming,” Craig admits. “I went into the house very naive, not expecting anything to come from it, as we all did.”
Re-entering the real world was “really, really crazy” he says. “I don’t think I went home for 97 days. I changed hotel every night and I had bodyguards chaperoning me around. It was life-changing overnight, and I was the last person to realise it.”
Craig, who is talking from his home on the outskirts of Liverpool – which he shares with his wife Laura Sherriff, 33, and their 18-month-old daughter, Nelly (they’re currently expecting their second child) – doesn’t believe he’d even been considered for the show in its later years, let alone won it.
“I think I’m a bit too normal, boring, and not extreme enough compared to the characters that were there as it went on,” he says with a grin.
Craig’s story is an inspiring one. Just 13 when his father was killed by a drink-driver, by age 15, he was working to help support his mother and sister.
Despite leaving school with no qualifications (he had un-diagnosed dyslexia), by his early-20s, he’d built a successful building company, with a turnover of more than £1million and a team of 30.
While many fall by the wayside after five minutes of fame, Craig thinks his down-to-earth background and business and building skills allowed him to capitalise on his success after Big Brother, rather not be derailed by it.
“In my book, being famous isn’t a job. I’ve never regarded myself as famous, although I am well recognised. I think the secret to surviving a reality show is to stay true to yourself and not believe the hype,” he says.
“The show was a spring-board for me, giving me so many opportunities to work on TV. I’ve appeared on thousands of DIY and makeover shows over the years. I’ve also been able to help raise millions for charities, which makes me feel really proud.”
Marriage and becoming a father has given Craig personal contentment. He and Laura work together as ‘Mr & Mrs DIY’ on TV
and YouTube. They also have a property portfolio and recently built their “dream” home, complete with eight bedrooms, a gym and film studio.
“Being parents together is brilliant, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our son soon. I treasure my time with Nelly and I’m perhaps even more aware of the responsibility of caring and providing for her, because I lost my own father so young.”
He believes DIY can be far more beneficial than simply home improvements, as it can be positive for our mental wellbeing too.
“We were overwhelmed by the huge and positive reaction to our online DIY videos during lockdown,” says Craig. “It’s really therapeutic for people, if they can learn to work on their own homes and improve them, because that can really give a feeling of satisfaction and achievement.”
■ For more on Craig Phillips’ building and mental health work, see craigphillips.co.uk