He became the most talked-about reality television star of his generation, and now Nick Bateman - forever known as 'Nasty Nick' from Big Brother - has broken his silence about the scandal that rocked British television.
In an exclusive new interview, the original Big Brother villain reflects on his infamous 2000 appearance that saw him become the first contestant ever ejected from the iconic Channel 4 show for rule-breaking.
The Cheating Scandal That Captivated a Nation
Bateman's downfall came when producers discovered he had been secretly passing notes to other housemates, attempting to manipulate voting outcomes in direct violation of the programme's rules.
"I thought I was being clever," Bateman now admits, "but it turned into something I could never have anticipated."
The moment he was confronted by presenter Davina McCall during a live eviction became one of the most memorable in British television history, drawing millions of viewers and creating newspaper headlines for weeks.
Life After the Scandal
Now 24 years later, the 49-year-old has built a completely different life far from the spotlight. He works as a paralegal and has largely stayed out of the public eye, though the 'Nasty Nick' label has proven difficult to shake.
"People still recognise me in the street," he reveals. "The nickname stuck, but I've made peace with it. It was a different time, and I was a different person."
The Legacy of Reality TV's First Villain
Bateman's actions inadvertently helped shape the future of reality television, proving that controversy and conflict could drive massive viewership.
His story serves as a cautionary tale about instant fame and the long-lasting consequences of television notoriety. While he doesn't regret his time on the show, he acknowledges the experience taught him valuable lessons about integrity and the price of fame.
As Big Brother continues to evolve with new iterations, Bateman's legacy remains etched in television history as the original reality TV anti-hero who learned the hard way that cheating doesn't pay.
