Jeff Brazier: ‘I gave Big Brother a chance for 2 minutes – then I had to turn off’

Jeff Brazier explained his thoughts on the latest Big Brother revival(Picture: Getty)

Jeff Brazier revealed that while he wished this year’s batch of Big Brother contestants the best of luck, he won’t be tuning in to watch the drama unfold.

The presenter, 44, found fame by starring on Shipwrecked in 2001, while ex-partner Jade Goody became a household name after taking part in the hit reality series in 2002.

However, in 2009, aged just 27, Goody died of cervical cancer, leaving behind her two children, Bobby and Freddie, whom she shared with Jeff.

The reality series returned after five years away as new presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best welcomed 16 new contestants into the famous house earlier this week.

Several fans (2.5million and over to be exact tuned in) tuned in to watch the highly-anticipated launch show including TV presenter Jeff, but he wasn’t that impressed after housemate Olivia burst into tears after fearing for her place in the competition.

Jade Goody, Jeff’s ex-partner, was a contestant on the third series of Big Brother (Picture: REX)

Jeff shares sons Freddie and Bobby with the late Jade Goody (Picture: REX)

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘I switched on for two minutes (on Sunday) after watching Celeb SAS which we never miss that’s our favourite and there’s some contention, they didn’t know they was putting someone up for public vote and it caused great contention between the two individuals [Olivia and Jenkin].

He added: ‘It caused great discomfort for the girl that had to vent in the diary room and it’s not the sort of thing I want to watch. I don’t enjoy seeing drama like that.’

He continued: ‘For some people it might be what they want to view in an evening. I want good energy rather than see someone go through emotional distress. 

‘They’ll have a lot of fun in there and I’m sure they’re relationship will improve, but as a snapshot, it might not be for me.’

Jeff recently collaborated with Sky Mobile to help guide parents and students on keeping connected as a new term at university starts.

Jeff teamed up with Sky Mobile to help parents and students stay connected (Picture: Taylor Herring)

Being a dad-of-two, he told us: ‘One thing I’ve never done is change myself to please my children but it’s so easy to do because you think ‘would it improve our relationship if they think I’m cooler?

‘Our children are good at sensing we’re trying to please them or evolve to seem more relevant.’

The I’m A Celebrity star continued: ‘I don’t think I’m guilty of anything by sending a thumbs up, my kids have never come back saying I’ve been insensitive. It’s just for grownups we write what we mean. A quarter of young people have ignored their parents’ phone calls and we asked what parents are doing wrong. 

‘The contradiction is that they get upset with us bombarding them, all of the people I’ve spoken too have been livid about the ‘thumbs up’ saying ‘where’s the context?’

Jeff Brazier interviews students about common text and phone blunders with their parents as they head back to uni. New research reveals most parents keep their teens on their phone plans to ensure they always have enough data to stay in contact. Sky Mobile rolls all unused data into one Sky Piggybank for all on the account to share, giving students access to the Piggybank of Mum and dad when they need it.

Big Brother airs nightly at 9pm on ITV2.

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‘I want good energy rather than see someone go through emotional distress.’