‘Big’ honour for Dowling and duo to host series
IRISH STAR COULD WED TELLY PARTNER SAYS SIS
FORMER Big Brother winner Brian Dowling has said he would consider hosting the show’s reboot — saying the reality TV show “changed my life”.
Big Brother will make a triumphant return in 2023 on ITV2 and new streaming platform ITVX after the reality TV show was axed five years ago.
Pop twins Jedward have already thrown their name into the hat to present the new format for ITV2 — but Brian Dowling said he would consider it if he was approached by Big Brother bosses.
Speaking exclusively to The Star, Brian — who won the series in 2001 — said hosting the show previously was a “comfortable fit for him”.
He told us: “Big Brother is an absolutely incredible show and has paved the way for so many of today’s huge reality shows.”
Crown
Brian also appeared on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 and was crowned champion and was then invited to host the show when it moved over to Channel 5.
He said: “Taking part in the show in 2001 & again in 2010 changed my life.
“I then had the opportunity to present the show when it moved to Channel 5 and I got to say those iconic words ‘Big Brother House this is Brian’.”
Meanwhile Jedward tweeted: “Big Brother UK 2023 we should definitely Host it. Iconic Housemates.”
The pair first appeared on Celebrity Big Brother 8, which was won by Paddy Doherty and saw Kerry Katona finish as runner-up.
They later returned to the house for Celebrity Big Brother 19 as All-Stars, finishing as runners-up to Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan.
DAMI Hope’s little sister has said she thinks the Love Island star will marry Indiyah Polack someday.
The 26-year-old Irish hunk and Indiyah came in third place on the hit summer series watched by millions.
Speaking exclusively to The Star, Dami’s sister Femi (24) said: “Regardless of him coming third place, we are honestly so proud of Dami because he’s really come so far.”
ITV has revealed Ekin-Su and Davide won Love Island with 63.69 per cent of the public vote, runners up Gemma Owen and Luca Bish came second with 14.47 per cent, Indiyah and Dami claimed third with 11.77 per cent and Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page were fourth with 10.07 per cent. The final was watched by 2.9million viewers.
But Femi last night admitted she didn’t think her brother would get so close to the final after the drama in Casa Amor.
Nigerian-born Dami, who was raised in New Ross, Co Wexford, kissed Summer Botwe (22), from Hertfordshire, causing an explosive recoupling.
Proud
Femi said: “We didn’t [think he would make the final], that’s the thing.
“And not in a negative way, like. It was just because of all the hate he was getting from Casa Amor.
“There was so much negativity. We thought with every recoupling or with every vote, we thought ‘Dami is coming home, Dami is coming home’.
“Obviously, we didn’t want that. But we were so proud. I still cannot get over it,” she said.
But opening up about the hate the family received, Femi said: “It got bad. It was a case where we had to turn off his comments and we stopped posting for a day or two just because it was so bad.
“People were sending like death threats in. It was honestly so bad.
“Obviously we get what he did. It was wrong but the hate wasn’t needed.
“They didn’t have to go on his profile and spew all that hate. That was definitely not needed. People talked about his family.”
During the weekend, Dami was given an opportunity to speak to meet Indiyah’s mother - who warned the star he wasn’t in the clear yet after his Casa Amor antics.
And Femi said she understood Indiyah’s mother’s reaction.
“I understood it. We weren’t happy with what he did. If it was your sister or your daughter, you would be the same as well.
“It was just the way he acted around it. That wasn’t nice so it is understandable for them to be a bit weary because it is new as well.”
She admitted that being away from the villa will be a challenge for the couple - but she hopes there will be wedding bells for the couple someday.
Femi said: “Outside will be the test but I think they are going to do well. I can see them being together for a very, very long time. Maybe even get married.
“I can’t see them having any negativity in their relationship. They will both do well and the whole family love Indiyah as well so we will be definitely pushing Dami to cop on.”
Praise
It came as Dami’s cousin Alisha was full of praise for Indiyah, who she revealed had been learning Nigerian culture during her time in the villa. She said: “I told Indiyah that every single episode has been a 10/10 slay from her. Hair, make up, outfits. She’s been doing the damn thing.
“She was really happy and thanked me.
“We are a family of piercings - Dami and I have the same nose piercings and Femi has one of each side of her nose and her septum like Indiyah. “Babygirl is going to fit right in with us!”