‘It was a crazy whirlwind’: Big Brother 2006 winner Pete Bennett reveals he splurged his £100,000 prize money on ‘bailiffs, the tax man, and drugs’
Big Brother 2006 winner Pete Bennett has revealed he splurged his £100,000 prize on ‘bailiffs, the tax man, and drugs’.
The reality star, 38, 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.’
‘It was a crazy whirlwind’: Big Brother 2006 winner Pete Bennett has revealed he splurged his £100,000 prize on ‘bailiffs, the tax man, and drugs’ (pictured last week)
Five years ago, the TV star revealed he was homeless after battling an addiction to ketamine.
The actor has insisted he’s come a long way from his dark times as he said: ‘I was going to raves and was on acid when I applied for Big Brother, I’m not doing drugs much now. You can now see my lips.’
Pete, who has Tourette’s syndrome, also said he gained confidence from the programme after being ridiculed for his condition as a teen.
He explained: ‘I was bullied before I went into the show for calling people w*****s because of my Tourettes.’
Throwback: The reality star, 38, described the experience as a ‘crazy whirlwind’ and admitted he was ‘on acid’ when he applied for the show (pictured during the finale)
Height of fame: The media personality scooped the huge sum when he won the seventh series of the reality TV show 14 years ago (pictured with then-girlfriend Nikki Grahame)
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics.
It usually starts during childhood and continues into adulthood. Tics can be either be vocal or physical.
During his time on Big Brother, the Celebriclean entrepreneur forged a short-lived relationship with Nikki Grahame, who was famed for her Diary Room outbursts.
‘I won the show!’ The TV star confessed he feels ‘bothered’ that his ex, 38, is often considered as the ‘main focus’ when people reflect on their famous edition (pictured in 2006)
Pete confessed he feels ‘bothered’ that his ex-girlfriend, 38, is often considered as the ‘main focus’ when people reflect on their famous edition.
He said: ‘I fancied her and thought I would give it a go, there was a spark. It was a whirlwind, weird kind of romance.
‘I was meant to do Ultimate Big Brother, I had my meeting with the BB shrink but a week after they dropped me. I was in a dark place. My friend had died of cancer; it was a pick-me-up that got taken away from me.
‘Nikki is now always the main focus, yeah it bothers me. I wish they would plug me. I lift people’s spirits. I feel left out. I won the show, not her.’
Pete is now keeping busy by working with comedian Catherine Tate on her new film, Nan: The Movie.
Winning the 52-year-old writer over with his wit, he shared: ‘I went into the audition room and called her a ginger – I got the part.’
Impressive: Pete is now keeping busy by working with comedian Catherine Tate (pictured in character) on her new film, Nan: The Movie