Christopher Biggins slams ‘appalling’ Big Brother after his controversial axing and says he hates ‘boring’ show
CHRISTOPHER Biggins has slammed “appalling” Celebrity Big Brother nine years after he was axed from the show.
The legendary actor and pantomime star, 76, was removed from the house for making an unacceptable joke to X Factor’s Katie Waissel, which wasn’t shown on air.
He told the Jewish singer: “You better be careful or they’ll be putting you in a shower and taking you to a room.”
Bosses of the show, which was broadcast on Channel 5 at the time, quickly pulled him from the house, and his £100k fee was reportedly slashed.
Biggins apologised in the aftermath and pointed out that some of his closest friends, like Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph, were Jewish.
Speaking to The Sun about the reality show’s transition to ITV, Biggins is no fan of the franchise.
“I think Big Brother is just terrible,” he said.
“They treated me appallingly when I did it, so I have that against it. But I just think it’s boring. I don’t understand why people watch it, does it have good ratings?
“Once again it’s negative to bring these things back. The space it takes up, they could be doing so much more so many more wonderful programmes.
“I suppose it will continue because that’s what the public seem to want.”
Biggins found himself in hot water with Big Brother before making the comment that sealed his fate.
He sparked controversy by telling Mob Wives star Renee Grazinano, “I think the worst type though, I’m afraid to say, the bisexuals,” during a conversation about sexuality.
The TV veteran also hit out at reality stars clamouring for their 15 minutes of fame.
He said: “They should be called something else. They are just famous for five minutes.
“Showbiz has changed in a bad way. I feel I’ve seen the best. I’ve had an amazing life and I’ve loved everything I’ve done.”
The 2007 I’m A Celebrity winner also opened up about the bumper pay packets being thrown around on TV shows these days, specifically on the jungle programme.
“I do think what they’re paying now, they paid Nigel Farage a million pounds, it’s ludicrous. But if they want these people and these people say no, you have to pay the money they want.
“And of course, it’s probably ITV’s biggest show. They’ve got masses of money to throw at it and so they can pay these fees.
“When I did it, I got £50,000. It is still a good sum.
“But I did earn a lot of money the year after, though. So that’s my great perk. And I’m still getting work off it now, which is, I can’t remember how many years, but a long time ago.”
Biggins rejected the chance to return to the franchise for All Stars back in 2022, which he maintains was the right call.
Instead, he protected his original jungle experience, which he says he absolutely loved.
“If you’re a king or queen of the jungle, you don’t want to lose your title,” he said. “You’ve done something quite extraordinary by winning that title. So, no, I’m so pleased not to go back, and I really believe I made the right decision.”
And in an era where the risk of cancellation is just one ill-timed comment away, Biggins is all to aware of the impact it can have,
“I think it is a minefield,” he said. “In the early days when I was doing it, it was fun. It was, you know, a hoot. People loved it.
“But now there are lots of woke situations, lots of problems with all sorts of different personalities. And I hate the fact that it could be going down the Big Brother line, which I think Big Brother is just terrible.
“I think the jungle is something different, and I hope it maintains that.”