The Big Brother Rich List: How housemates from the original series have amassed huge fortunes 20 years since on pioneering reality TV show

• Reality TV institution Big Brother can certainly make or break bank accounts
• All estimates included in this article come from celebrity guesstimate sites 

Big Brother will finally return to our screens this Sunday at 9pm on ITV1 and fans of the long-running reality TV institution can hardly wait. 

Since launching in 2000, the show has provided some of the most iconic moments in British reality TV history from fiery confrontations between housemates to raunchy episodes in the communal hot tubs. 

Originally broadcast on Channel 4, the show was moved to Channel 5 in 2011 where it remained until it ended in 2018. 

In the 18-years it was on air, the show has produced many stars ranging from Brian Dowling to the late Nikki Graham. 

For many, the show can be a platform for a new celebrity lifestyle including TV work, record deals and glamour modeling contracts so its no surprise some of its contestants are reportedly fairly well off. 

Not long: Big Brother is set to return with a huge shake up in its new series as leaked photos of the set showed a massive re-vamp

Here’s how much some of the show’s most famous stars are rumored to be worth.    

‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman – up to £4million

Series 1 (2000)

‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman’s cheating was exposed, causing him to removed from the house in 2000

The original Big Brother bad boy ‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman rose to prominence on the first series of the show way back in 2000.  

Nick helped Big Brother rocket in popularity when he caused controversy by passing notes to other contestants, in a bid to influence the show’s voting process.

Eventually, the former city trader was confronted over his behaviour by eventual winner Craig Phillips and reality TV bosses booted him off the show.

Since that fateful time, Nick has become something of a celebrity influencer, presenting the short lived BBC2 TV show called Trust Me, penning a book called Nasty Nick: How To Be A Right B****rd, and even making a comeback in 2010 as a contestant on Ultimate Big Brother. 

These ventures have put in good financial states with gossip site allfamousbirthday claiming the star is worth a cool £4.1million

Alison Hammond – £2million

Series 3 – (2002)

Alison Hammond was evicted from Big Brother just two weeks into her TV debut back in 2002

Successful TV career: Since her TV debut, Alison has gone on to secure a successful career as a presenter on This Morning. Pictured in July 2019

It might seem strange to think about it now but Alison Hammond actually shot to fame on Big Brother back in 2002. 

Ahead of going into the famous abode she was facing huge debts of £3,000 in her normal pre-fame job as a holiday rep, and she recalled believing it was a ‘good idea’ to go on the show and win the £70,000 prize money. 

Speaking to On Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast last year, she said: ‘I was in Tunisia, repping, and everyone was reading the papers about Brian Dowling – he had won Big Brother.

‘And they were saying ‘you should go on Big Brother, you’d win it’.

‘And at the time, I had a debt of like £3,000 and at the time I was traumatised by.’

Bubbly Alison, who unfortunately was the second housemate to be evicted from the show, immediately took up a job on ITV’s This Morning following the conclusion of the show. 

She’s been there ever since and has now become one half of the famous sofa double-act following Phillip Schofield’s decision to leave the programme earlier this year. 

It’s worked in her favour as the star is now reportedly worth somewhere in the region of £1-4million. 

Brian Dowling – up to £4million

Series 2 (2001)

All-star: Brian Dowling appeared in Big Brother twice and won the Ultimate Big Brother all-star series

He presented BB from 2011 to 2013 before being taken over by Emma Willis – something he claims he wasn’t told about and only discovered after reading it in a newspaper

When it comes to Big Brother royalty it doesn’t come bigger than Brian Dowling. 

The Irish presenter, 45, won the show twice – in series 2 in 2001 and nine years later on 2010’s Ultimate Big Brother – before being invited to host the show when it moved over to Channel 5. 

The popular host fronted the reality show for two series plus a handful of celebrity specials, before Channel 5 announced in 2013 that The Voice star Emma Willis would be taking over. 

Earlier this year the star fronted a documentary into the surrogacy birth of his first child with his husband Arthur Gourounlian for an RTE program called Brian and Arthur’s Very Modern Family. 

The presenter is reportedly worth  £4.1million according to allfamousbirthdays. 

Jade Goody – left as estimate of £3million

Series 3 (2002)

Star: Perhaps the most famous housemate, the late Jade Goody got her start as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002

Jade died at the age of 27 in March 2009 following a battle with cervical cancer, just one-month after she tied the knot with Jack (both pictured in February 2009)

Perhaps the most famous housemate, the late Jade Goody got her start as a contestant on the third series of Big Brother in 2002 alongside Alison Hammond, BBC radio host Adele Roberts and eventual winner Kate Lawler.

The series catapulted Jade to stardom with her exploits dotting the pages of tabloid newspapers before her return to the house in 2007 for Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) – alongside boyfriend Jack Tweed and mother Jackiey Budden. 

The edition of CBB saw perhaps the most shocking series ever when Jade, along with model Danielle Lloyd and S Club star Jo O’Meara, were accused of racist abuse against Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty – culminating in distressing scenes.

Ofcom complaints flooded in from 45,000 viewers and the comments sparked a diplomatic incident when the UK and Indian governments got involved. Jade and Shilpa were then bizarrely placed into a head-to-head evictions vote where Jade was ousted from the house.

The incident led to CBB being cancelled in 2008.

Jade was the first reality star to become a millionaire in the UK and amassed a £3million fortune before her tragic death in 2008.

Jade, who passed away from cervical cancer on 22 March 2009, stressed in her will: ‘The wishes of my children should be regarded as paramount.’

Her mother Jackiey received £10,000, while husband Jack – who she tied the knot with two weeks before her death – was bequeathed nothing but her £14,000 Volkswagen. 

It was reported widely at the time of her death that her two sons Bobby and Freddie Brazier were left £3million at the time of her death. 

Oldest son Bobby, 20, is now turning heads as a star of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.  

Nadia Almada -up to  £4million

Series 5  (2004)

Nadia Almada, from Madeira, Portugal, was the only ever transgender winner of Big Brother in 2004

Nadia became a fast favourite and won a huge 74 per cent of the public vote

Nadia Almada, from Madeira, Portugal, was the only ever transgender winner of Big Brother. She kept her transgender identity a secret from the house, but viewers were informed.

She became a fast favourite and won a huge 74 per cent of the vote in 2004. Long-time presenter Davina McCall previously revealed that Nadia was her favourite housemate of all time.

The series featured a host of shocking moments, yet none more so than Fight Night, when Emma and Michelle Bass re-entered the house after a false eviction landed them in ‘The Bedsit’, where they watched on as their housemates spoke about them.

Upon their return, the house became embroiled in a food fight and as arguments escalated, Nadia slapped Jason Cowan.

Nadia returned for Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 alongside many notable all-stars. She had run-ins with Coolio before being evicted 10th.

According to allfamousbirthdays the star is now worth £4.1million.  

Makosi Musambasi – £3million

Series 6 (2005)

Makosi Musambasi rose to fame on the sixth series of Big Brother

She caused controversy during her time in the Big Brother house after she demanded a pregnancy test (pictured in 2010)

Makosi Musambasi rose to fame on the sixth series of Big Brother and became known for her famous hot tub romp with winner Anthony Hutton. 

She caused controversy during her time in the Big Brother house after she demanded a pregnancy test following her romp with Anthony in the hot tub. 

The then-housemate insisted she was almost sure she was pregnant, however it turned out not to be the case. 

The reality star moved to Nigeria after her time on the Channel 4 show and is now a life coach and public speaker.

Her Instagram account is peppered with inspirational quotes and snaps of the television personality on the golf course. 

According to neworthpost Makosi is now worth a cool £4.1million. 

Pete Bennett- £800k

Series 7  (2006) 

Pete Bennett, who suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome, won the hearts of the public and eventually won the £100,000 prize pot – and had a romance with co-star Nikki Grahame

Big Brother 2006 winner Pete Bennett became famous during his time on the shw for his relationship with fellow contestant Nikki Grahame. 

Pete previously revealed he splurged his £100,000 prize on ‘bailiffs, the tax man, and drugs’.

The reality star, 41, who scooped the huge sum when he won the seventh series of the reality TV show 14 years ago, described the experience as a ‘crazy whirlwind’ and admitted he was ‘on acid’ when he applied for the show.

In an interview with 2015 contestant Simon Gross for Get Gossy with Grossy, the media personality recalled: ‘I was 24 I was a raver, it just all went on bailiffs, the tax man, drugs. It was a crazy whirlwind.’

According to popularbio.co, Pete’s networth is now £800,000.  

Nikki Grahame – left an estate of £300,000

Series 7 (2006)

Nikki Grahame rose to fame after appearing on the 2006 series of the hit reality show. (pictured with Davina McCall in 2010 after appearing on the Ultimate Big Brother series)

 Nikki became a Big Brother icon when she appeared on the reality show in 2006

Nikki Grahame died at the age 38 – just one month after her friends started a GoFundMe page for anorexia treatment (pictured in 2019)

The late Nikki Grahame rose to fame after appearing on the 2006 series of the hit reality show. She appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother in 2006, finishing in fifth place before returning to the show in 2010 for the Ultimate Big Brother series.

After entering the house dressed as a Playboy bunny, Nikki quickly became known for her temper tantrums and Diary Room histrionics, including the now famous ‘who is she?’ rant.

Nikki – who tragically died in 2021 – was evicted on day 58, but went back into the house after the remaining contestants picked her to return.

After Big Brother, she bagged her own reality show, Princess Nikki, which saw her attempt to keep various jobs.

She also appeared on a slew of shows including Celebrity Scissorhands, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The Weakest Link, and a Channel 4 poll named her the 12th most ‘written about’ person of 2006 in the UK.

Prior to Big Brother, the aspiring actress appeared as an extra in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and played a footballer’s wife in Sky One’s Dream Team.

She also appeared as a contestant on ITV dating show Blind Date and competed in the 2004 Miss Hertfordshire pageant.

Fan favourite Nikki also won a National Television Award for most popular TV contender and published two books – autobiographies that followed her lifelong battle with anorexia – Dying To Be Thin and Fragile.

During her time on the house, Nikki formed an unlikely relationship with the show’s eventual winner Pete Bennett. Their romance ended a month after they left the house in 2006, but the duo remained close and caught up just a month before Nikki’s death.

Following her death, it was reported that Nikki left behind an estate of £300,000. 

Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace – £2million 

Series 7 (2006)

Aisleyne became a big hit in the house with her cheeky personality and close relationship to Nikki Grahame

Aisleyne and Nikki struck up a firm friendship on the show

 Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace said of Nikki (pictured together) after her death: ‘Happy birthday baby girl, too precious and delicate for this cold harsh world, so much vibrance & kindness in one’

Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother in 2006, losing out to eventual series winner Pete Bennet. 

Aisleyne became a big hit in the house with her cheeky personality and close relationship to Nikki Grahame. 

When Nikki tragically passed away in 2021, Aisleyne paid tribute to her memory, writing penning: ‘Happy birthday baby girl, too precious and delicate for this cold harsh world, so much vibrance & kindness in one.

‘I know you’re in a better place still having fun… death is only painful for those of us left, as we miss you and wish you was still here with us, I believe you, and all lost loved ones are in a better place, a kinder more peaceful place… until we meet again, I will miss you…. dearly. I love you darling.’

According to celebritynetworth she is worth £2.1million.  

Brian Belo  – £800k

Series 6 (2007)

Say what? Brian Belo, from Basildon, Essex, became the youngest ever winner of Big Brother at 20-years-old in 2007. He famously claimed he had never heard of playwright William Shakespeare while on the show 

Brian Belo became the youngest ever winner of Big Brother at 20-years-old in 2007. He famously claimed he had never heard of playwright William Shakespeare while on the show.

After his stint in the house, he began to act on stage and screen including cameo appearances in Hollyoaks and a recurring segment on Harry Hill’s TV Burp, where he would give his takes on the week’s television.

He became a recurrent guest on series of Big Brother both under the stewardship of Channel 4 and Channel 5, first re-entering the house as part of E4’s Celebrity Hijack series and then returning on the civilian series in 2015.

His return in the 16th series saw him clash repeatedly with Helen Wood, the previous series’ winner who had also re-entered the house, and after one argument, he dramatically decided to quit by climbing over the garden wall.

Brian also appeared on the TV series Dead Set, a zombie horror set in the Big Brother house, as himself.

He poked fun at his reputation over Shakespeare in 2008 – performing segments of the Bard’s plays as part of Stratford-upon-Avon’s Shakespeare Aloud initiative to bring the works to a wider audience.

In 2011, Brian took legal action against the makers behind hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex, claiming he had come up with the idea for the reality series and had sent the plans to ITV.

In 2013, it was reported that Brian – who is from Basildon, Essex, himself – settled with ITV and Lime Pictures in an out-of-court settlement.

According to popularbio.com, Brian has a networth of about £800K.  

Chanelle Hayes – £2million

Series 8 (2007)

Chanelle Hayes shot to fame on Big Brother series 8 way back in 2007

Chanelle Hayes shot to fame on Big Brother series 8 way back in 2007. 

Chanelle argued constantly with fellow housemate Charley Uchea famously rowing for ten minutes about how old Rihanna was.

Chanelle had the last laugh however as she lasted three days longer in the house than her nemesis who was evicted in week five. 

After leaving the house, Chanelle went on to enjoy a career as model and TV host. 

According to popularnetworth.com Chanelle has a networth of £2.1million.

Josie Gibson -£800k

Series 11 (2010) 

Winner: Josie Gibson, 37, won the final edition of the reality show on Channel 4 in 2010 – she is now a successful daytime TV presenter 

Host: She later followed in the footsteps of Alison Hammond and joined This Morning as a competition announcer and is now one of the show’s most-loved presenters 

ITV’s This Morning’s Josie Gibson won the final edition of the reality show on Channel 4 in 2010, before it moved to Channel 5 the following year.

On Big Brother, Josie met John James and they enjoyed a nine month whirlwind romance that was documented on spin-off show, There’s Something About Josie.

The ill-matched couple’s romance captivated viewers before they suffered an acrimonious split a year later when she accused him of cheating.

After her spin-off show, Josie dropped off the grid before returning to the spotlight in 2017 as a contestant on short-lived Channel 4 show The Jump. She left abruptly before she was due to take on the first live ski-jump of the series.

She later followed in the footsteps of Alison Hammond and joined This Morning as a competition announcer.

Josie later enjoyed a stint filling in as a host for Holly Willoughby and she has since made a name for herself as one of the ITV programme’s most-loved reporters.

According to idolnetworth the star is worth £800K.  

Deana Uppal – £4million

Series 13 (2012)

Big Brother contestant and Miss India UK winner Deana Uppal was part of the shows most controversial show ever in 2012

Big Brother contestant and Miss India UK winner Deana Uppal was part of the shows most controversial show ever in 2012. 

Deana was singled out for abuse by fellow contestant  Conor McIntyre during the series resulting in over 2,000 Ofcom complaints. 

At one point he told other contestants he would ‘punch her in the face, just knock her out’ and sexually assault her with a hair brush. 

Ofcom ruled that the show, which transferred to Channel 5 after it was dropped by Channel 4 in 2010, breached broadcasting guidelines. 

According to  allfamousbirthdays, Deana’s networth is a not inconsiderable £4.1million. 

Kate Lawler – up to £4million

Series 3 (2002)

Winner: Kate Lawler won the third series of Big Brother on Channel 4 in 2002, making her the first ever female winner

Fond memories: Radio host Kate fondly recalled her days the famous reality television house, saying the the contestants were plied with as much alcohol as they wanted (pictured on Big Brother in 2002 with the late Jade Goody)

Kate Lawler, 43, rose to fame as the winner of the third series of Big Brother on Channel 4 in 2002, with an amazing 10million people tuning in to see her triumph. 

After her victory from a field including favourites Jade Goody and Alison Hammond, she embarked on a radio career that has lasted over two decades.

Within months of her triumph, she became a DJ on Capital FM and this role led to her host the ill-fated Channel Four breakfast show RI:SE from February to December 2003, when she also left Capital. 

Last year, Kate fondly recalled her days the famous reality television house, saying the the contestants were plied with as much alcohol as they wanted, prompting lots of raucous and raunchy behaviour. 

She told The Sun: ‘I always knew it would come back, and I’m so excited for its return to see the reaction of Millennials. There’s now this whole new generation of kids who’ll be watching it for the first time…

‘It was at a time in reality TV when producers didn’t ration alcohol because there hadn’t been any serious bust-ups that involved the police being called!’ 

Chantelle Houghton – £1million

Celeb Big Brother (2006) 

Chantelle Houghton appeared on the celebrity spin-off of Big Brother in 2006 as the only civilian contestant, and went on to marry singer Preston after they met in the house, though they split just nine months later.

She successfully convinced the celebrities in the house that she was one of them – even singing them a fake song from her made-up band Kandy Floss as part of the charade.

She eventually won the Celebrity Big Brother series – banking a £25,000 cash prize. 

Wow! Chantelle Houghton appeared on the celebrity spin-off of Big Brother in 2006 as the only civilian contestant, married singer Preston after they met in the house, but they split just nine months later

Ploy: She successfully convinced the celebrities in the house that she was one of them – even singing them a fake song from her made-up band Kandy Floss as part of the charade

Ker-ching: The reality personality, who now works for the Body Shop, says she was once paid £250,000 for her first interview after leaving the Big Brother house

The reality personality, who now works for the Body Shop, says she was paid £250,000 for her first interview after leaving the Big Brother house.

Chantelle found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston during her time on the show and admitted she was given almost £1million for their wedding interview. 

Despite the eye-watering fees coming her way, Chantelle told The Sun she was always sensible with her money, saying: ‘I was a millionaire and I’ve got a mortgage-free home as a result. 

‘I was very wise with my money, I didn’t go out and spend it on designer handbags or shoes, I grew up with bailiffs knocking on the door, and I just didn’t want to live that life.’

She later appeared on Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 alongside her ex-husband Preston and placed third in the all-star series.

According to celebritynetworth Chantelle now has a networth of £1.1million. 

All estimates included in this article come courtesy of celebrity guesstimate sites. 

The actual networth of the people featured may be higher or lower than described.  

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