Big Brother 2012 went out with a bang last night, as nearly 1.5 million people watched 32-year-old Melbournian Benjamin Norris take the winner's crown (with $250,000 and a brand new car in tow). The finale was an emotional one, with Ben looking completely shocked when he was announced as the winner. But he had a surprise of his own, and he tugged on the nation's collective heartstrings when he proposed to his boyfriend, also named Ben, on stage. Benjamin was known throughout the series for his honesty (and self-described bitchiness), best friendship with fellow housemate Stacey and his rivalry with second runner-up Estelle. We caught up with Ben earlier today to find out what the Big Brother experience was really like.
Congratulations, Ben!
Thank you so much [pauses]. Sorry! I always seem to have a few things going on in my head at the same time, but thank you so much, that’s so nice. I’m still in a lot of shock to be honest, I don’t know if you watched on TV last night but it was a lot . . . I just didn’t expect to win. I expected to propose to Ben, and I knew that was going to be there, but I just didn’t ever expect that I was going to win Big Brother.
Benjamin has been announced as the winner of Big Brother 2012! The 32-year-old accounts manager from Victoria, this year's oldest Housemate, is taking home $250,000 in cash as well as a brand-new Holden Cruze SRI-V. He broke down in tears as host Sonia Kruger called out his name and was comforted by the show's runner-up, British bombshell Layla, who was then evicted from the house. Earlier in the evening law student Estelle was revealed as the second runner-up after receiving the lowest amount of votes to win. The girls didn't go home empty-handed though; Estelle was given $5,000 from KFC while Layla pocketed $10,000 on top of the car she won during a challenge in the series.
More from the Big Brother grand finale when you keep reading.
It’s hard to believe that it was only in August that we met the Big Brother Housemates for the first time. In the time that’s passed, we’ve gotten to know these people very intimately, having watched them for at least an hour a day, six days a week, not to mention all the web extras. One by one they’ve been evicted from the house and now it’s come down to three after Zoe and Michael left on Monday: Estelle, Benjamin and Layla.
On Monday night they revealed how much of the vote each Housemate had received to win, and the race between the top three was very close, with two on 33 percent and one on 34 percent. (It wasn’t shown which Housemate had scored which percentage.) At this point it seems like any of them could walk out tonight $250,000 richer and with a brand-new car, but Victorian law student Estelle, who has been nominated the most, has a dedicated following that could carry her through to the end. Fans can still vote until the lines close at 4 p.m.
Big Brother Grand Finale airs tonight at 7 p.m. on Channel Nine.
A lot has happened in the Big Brother house over the last few weeks. Tragedy struck when BB favourite Josh left the house after a death in the family nearly two weeks ago. As a result, the eviction last week was cancelled, giving nominated housemates Angie, Estelle and Sam another week in the house. This week, those three are up automatically — but so are three more housemates! So in total, six housemates up for eviction: Sam, a 22-year-old waiter, Angie, a 21-year-old sales rep, Ben, a 32-year-old accounts manager, Layla, a 24-year-old beautician, Zoe, a 23-year-old student and Estelle, a 23-year-old law student. So who do you think will go? Cast your vote below, and tune in at 6:30pm tonight on Channel 9 to see if you were right!
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Bumper Big Brother Eviction — Who Will Go?
After the tragic sudden death of his 32-year-old brother, Toby, Big Brother contestant Josh Moore will appear live on the show tonight to say goodbye to the audience and reflect on his time in the house. After being called to the house's Captain's Quarters on Wednesday night, Josh — a favourite to win the competition — was met by his parents who delivered the devastating news of his brother's death to the 29-year-old. Josh decided to leave the house to be with his family, but had the chance to go back and be with his stunned Housemates one last time on Thursday. Tonight, there will be no eviction — instead, Josh will take part in the exit interview that all housemates participate in upon leaving the house, and host Sonia Kruger will join him on stage to take him through his time as a Housemate. Be sure to catch Josh on Big Brother's live show tonight at 6:30pm on Channel 9.
Following yesterday’s news that Big Brother contestant Josh Moore has left the house and competition after learning of his older brother Toby’s sudden death, the show released a statement yesterday afternoon that said, “Big Brother Housemates have been informed of Josh’s situation and had the opportunity to say good bye to him in person earlier today. Out of respect for Josh and his family, Big Brother turned the cameras off and this meeting was conducted privately. As a result of Josh leaving the house, this week’s voting has been closed and funds from this period will be donated to The Salvation Army, a charity nominated by Josh and his family.”
Fans who tuned in last night would have seen footage that was recorded on Wednesday, which showed the continuation of the Red/Blue task. In addition to the cancellation of this Sunday’s eviction — in its place will be extended weekend footage and a celebration of Josh’s time in the house — the Red/Blue task has also been stopped.
Big Brother contestant Josh Moore has left the show following news of his brother’s sudden death. The 28-year-old surfer and musician from Adelaide, who is well-liked by his Housemates, has never been up for nomination and was a favourite to win the competition, was told of the shocking news yesterday. His parents came to the house’s Captain’s Quarters to tell Josh of his 32-year-old brother Toby’s passing — a suspected heart attack — and Josh spent the night with them before making the decision to leave the show. Toby was Josh’s only sibling. A Channel Nine spokeswoman said, “The Southern Star production team and the Nine Network wish to express their sympathy to the family and ask fans of Big Brother and the media to allow them privacy at this time.” Our thoughts are with Josh and his family.
Tonight we'll see the seventh Big Brother housemate of 2012 leave the house. Both males and females could be nominated, and Estelle had the superpower of being able to watch two housemates of her choic nominate, and then nomiate accordingly. The result? Four people up for eviction — three men and one woman: Angie, a 21-year-old sales rep, Bradley, a 19-year-old self-described checkout chick, intruder Sam, a 21-year-old waiter and Michael, a 26-year-old copywriter. So who do you think will become the seventh evictee of 2012? Cast your vote below, and watch tonight at 6:30pm on Channel 9 to see if you were right!
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Big Brother Eviction — Who Will Go?
Tonight we'll see the fifth Big Brother housemate of 2012 leave the house. Both males and females could be nominated, and George had the superpower of neutralising one of the housemates' nominations. The result? Two guys and one girl up for eviction: Estelle, a 24-year-old law student and public servant, Bradley, a 19-year-old self-described check-out chick and George, a 25-year old mining electrician. So who do you think will become the fifth evictee of 2012? Cast your vote below, and watch tonight at 6:30pm on Channel 9 to see if you were right!
popsugar poll
Big Brother Eviction — Who Will Go?
