Some Big Brother housemates have made millions (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Going on a reality TV show can be for some a route to fame and fortune and brand deals aplenty (we’re looking at you Love Island) but does that actually ring true for former Big Brother housemates?
As well as banking thousands of pounds if you’re crowned champion, the contestants, who are plucked from obscurity, are given a platform, one that many use as a springboard for a lucrative career.
Previous housemates Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson have turned their stints into long and rewarding careers on screen, with both hosting on This Morning, while others made the most of magazine contracts and investment opportunities.
But how does this translate into cold hard cash? Let’s look at the net worth of former Big Brother contestants.
Were any Big Brother housemates already rich?
Nasty Nick worked in finance before entering the Big Brother house (Picture: Channel 4)
While his pre-Big Brother salary was never disclosed, it’s safe to assume Nasty Nick was wealthy before entering the Big Brother house as he was a stockbroker in London.
Although he quit his finance career after becoming one of the most iconic realityTV stars ever, he continued to cash the paycheques with a short-lived BBC2 TV show called Trust Me, a book called Nasty Nick: How To Be A Right B****rd and a comeback on Ultimate Big Brother.
Now, though, he has quit fame for a life in Australia – but is still thought to be worth around £4million.
Speaking about his new life Down Under, he previously told Lorraine: ‘I’ve been here [Australia] 12 years. It’s just much nicer – blues skies all the time great weather, great food,’ he smiled. ‘It’s refreshing and it’s just nice to be somewhere where you’re happy.’
Who has made the most money since Big Brother?
Imogen was savvy with her winnings and invested in property (Picture: Getty Images)
Imogen Thomas, who was a housemate on the 2006 season of the show, during which time she was 23-year-old waitress, has gone on record to say she has made £10million since the show ended.
In fact, after leveraging her success on the reality show to amass a fortune, she told The Sun she no longer ‘technically works.’
The former Miss Wales made the most out of lucrative magazine deals and hired financial advisor to oversee her wealth, which she swiftly invested in a property portfolio.
She now owns two houses in Wales, a flat in Notting Hill and two town houses in Chelsea, one of which she lives in with her two daughters, Ariana, ten, and Siera, seven.
Alison and Josie have earnt fortunes from TV presenting gigs (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Kate has carved out a career in broadcasting (Picture: WireImage)
Alison Hammond, arguably the most successful former housemate, is also thought to have become a millionaire after her time on BB, thanks to her numerous TV gigs.
Her presenting jobs on This Morning and, more recently, Bake Off, are reported to have netted her between £1-4million.
The 48-year-old’s This Morning co-star Josie Gibson is also reported to have made a pretty penny from her appearances on the ITV show, thought to be worth around £800,000.
Chantelle made the most of the media opportunities after leaving the house (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Chanelle has continued with a career in the limelight after Big Brother (Picture: Instagram)
Similarly, Kate Lawler, 43, is thought to be a millionaire after also finding her footing in broadcasting, presenting on Captial Radio and Channel Four breakfast show RI:SE.
Other housemates with healthy bank balances are reported to be Chantelle Houghton, who banked £25,000 after winning Celeb Big Brother and another £25,000 for her first interview, and Chanelle Hayes.
Chantelle is said to be worth around £1million, while Chantelle, who works as a model and TV host now, is reported to have a similar income.
Who is the richest Big Brother housemate in 2023?
Kerry won £35,000 on Deal or No Deal (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
While the current housemates’ net worths haven’t been disclosed, we’d take an educated guess that Kerry, Jordan and Matty are the richest.
Jordan, 25, from Scunthorpe, is likely to earn a large salary as a lawyer and has already shared his taste for the finer things in life, requesting champagne from Big Brother.
Kerry, meanwhile, is an NHS manager and, according to Glassdoor, the average salary is around £62,000 – but can go up to £85,000 for the top level.
Jordan’s career as a lawyer will likely earn him a tidy sum (Picture: ITV)
The 40-year-old also previously appeared on Deal or No Deal and took home a tidy £35,000.
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While Matty is only at the start of his career, aged just 24, he is a doctor, meaning he could go on to make well in the six-figure range – if he continues with medicine post-Big Brother.
Big Brother continues tonight on ITV2 at 9pm.
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Some housemates are now millionaires.
