As Big Brother ’s first-ever female winner, Kate Lawler is a reality TV legend and I couldn’t wait to hear about her time on one of the show’s most famous series back in 2002.
The 40-year-old – whose housemates included the late Jade Goody and Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts – tells me she has amazing memories of her nine weeks living it up in Elstree Studios at just 22.
“What I took away from my experience is joy and memories of a really good summer making some really good friends and then, underneath, just a whirlwind of emotions. It was such an incredibly emotional experience,” she says.
Eighteen years later, Kate is still friendly with some of her housemates, including Alison Hammond.
“I look at Alison and I just love seeing her on This Morning and all the interviews she does and all the TV shows she’s appeared on,” she tells me. “I think it’s a real testament to the quality of housemates from our year. But I would say that!”
Now a DJ on Virgin Radio, Kate is engaged to her partner Martin and the pair live in north London with their pooches Baxter and Shirley.
Here, Kate talks about life in the house, clashing with Jade and how it felt when Davina called her name, bagging her £70,000 and a place in the reality
TV history books…
Hi Kate! Can you believe Big Brother is turning 20 this year?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'SECRETS DON'T STAY BURIED'
Bad Sisters returns for a second series with the Garvey siblings in the spotlight again after the dismembered body of JP's father turns up
'I WAS KISSING HIM AND RUBBING HIS BELLY!'
Interior Design Masters host Alan Carr chats about meeting Pudsey Bear, Simon Cowell's toilet paper and his own dubious home purchases
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING
E-cigarettes have never been more popular, but vaping isn't as risk-free as people might think it is
Teen murders mum then lures stepdad home to shoot him too
Carly Gregg fired her mum's gun as she searched her bedroom for drugs
'I took one huge gasp and ran in'
Lifesaver Emily Greenwood tells new how she rescued two people swept out to sea
'Clair's married to the biggest fool'
James and Clair Buckley on having fun at home and their hilarious new podcast
Louise set for best year yet
As loved-up pop star Louise Redknapp celebrates her 50th birthday, a source tells new that marriage 'could be on the cards'
'Surprisingly, I quite like the muscle aches'
Jamie Borthwick reveals how he juggles filming for EastEnders alongside long rehearsal days on Strictly
It's been on my vision board - I've loved it'
Reality star Molly Smith on manifesting her new lingerie campaign and setting up home with boyfriend Tom Clare
Chloe is ready to 'find happiness'
After her turbulent split from James Haskell, Chloe Madeley is learning to love herself again, a source tells new