The 22nd season of Big Brother aired at the end of September and as fans have been tuning in, it's worth reflecting on its first-ever instalment which launched 25 years ago.
Back in 2000, before TikTok and Instagram, the reality TV series debuted on Channel 4 to great success and would run annually until 2018, before resuming again in 2023.
One of the star contestants of the show's inaugural season was a man known as 'Nasty Nick', who appeared to manipulate the other housemates and had a hand in their nominations before the house caught on and confronted him.
Real name Nick Bateman, the Brit was a broker before appearing on Big Brother, where he became someone who viewers couldn't stop talking about.
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He helped to put the concept of reality TV into the mainstream, despite being ejected by the show's producers after 34 days for influencing several nominations and cheating during voting, after becoming the only contestant never to receive a single nomination for eviction.
Despite being remembered for his sneaky mannerisms, Bateman, now 57, lives a very different life from the one he had when he appeared on the show, a quarter of a century ago.
He's now changed his name and moved across the world to Australia, admitting that he's reverted to his real name of Jack while also sporting a new look, appearing completely different to the man we saw on screens all those years ago.
Speaking to Heart Bingo about his new quiet life and his 'nasty' reputation back in the UK, Bateman claimed that he had no regrets at all as it resulted in him moving to Australia, which he 'wouldn't change for the world'.
He said: "I think everything happens for a reason. I'm a great believer in pre-destination and in making decisions and then being responsible for that. So, yeah, I wouldn't change it."
Bateman added that he 'fell in love' with the land down under at a young age, calling the country 'so progressive', as 'you can start your life again at any age and reinvent yourself'.
"People are just happy and smiling. There’s fresh air and better food and no animosity from other people," Bateman said of Australia.
"I’m happier here than I would be anywhere else. I won’t go back to England."
Now, the former reality star works in marketing, sales, and promotions for companies.
He's also known for his past relationship with fashion magazine writer Lynnette Peck, with the pair kickstarting Lovely's Vintage Emporium, which would find success in women's fashion after he parted ways with the business.
He would also reportedly split from Peck after eight years together.
Speaking of Big Brother today, he said: "It’s nearing the point where either the channel has to accept something isn’t working or they have to go back to the original producers."
Bateman even suggested casting the show without telling contestants what it was, claiming that it's being used as a launchpad by some to start careers in social media careers, adding that it's 'lost its identity'.
"They need to go back to basics with normal people, a stripped-back house, and the original tasks," the Big Brother alumni suggested.
Topics: Big Brother, Channel 4, Australia, TV
Joshua Nair