Big Brother’s Michael Admits He Was Cast to Stir the Pot, Addresses MAFS 2026 Rumors

Big Brother’s most controversial early evictee Michael Downs has broken his silence after leaving the house, telling Daily Mail that he was hired for one reason only.

‘I was put in there to stir the pot, so I just did what I was cast to do,’ he said.

The 49-year-old publisher also addressed long-running rumours linking him to Married At First Sight, confirming he was in fact lined up for the show before being dropped at the last minute.

‘I did kind of half get on MAFS. They could not find me a woman,’ the single father admitted.

Daily Mail previously revealed the publisher was initially cast as an intruder on Married At First Sight 2026, but the plan collapsed at the eleventh hour after producers failed to find him a suitable match.

Production insiders said he was in talks with Endemol Shine for months.

‘They genuinely thought he would be great TV. Michael is strong-willed, blunt and totally unfiltered,’ one insider said.

‘But the problem was his criteria. He was very specific about what he wanted in a partner. They just could not find a bride who matched what he described.’

A second source added that producers felt ‘backed into a corner’ as filming deadlines approached and ultimately pulled the pin.

Michael confirmed it himself.

‘My age range was 25 to 45, Caucasian. Okay, maybe Caucasian caught me out but I did not want to end up with someone I was not going to be attracted to,’ he said.

‘They sized my ring and all that, and then I did not get on which was a blessing in disguise. Big Brother is a way better fit for me.’

He added, ‘I did not want to be slung into bed with a woman I have never met with three teenage kids on the outside. It is not me, mate.’

Despite stirring controversy, Michael insists he stands by every moment.

‘Absolutely, mate. I stand by everything I said. I am 49, I am not about to change my views now,’ he said.

Despite being the first housemate sent home, Michael says he was never playing to win.

‘I was never really in it to win it. I knew a 49-year-old male was not going to survive the TikTok vote. I was just hoping to survive the public vote and I did not,’ he said. 

‘I want Australia to know I am unfiltered, unapologetic and here for a good time, not a long time.’ 

Michael explained that he is far from upset about being shown the door.

‘I am not that sad to be out. I just had a giant hot dog, I have had two soft drinks. It is fine,’ he said with a laugh.

He also revealed he had to hide his involvement at a recent Halloween party.

‘I am sorry I could not tell you I was coming in. I knew at the party I would have caused a bit of a headache,’ he said. 

Michael claims producers made his role clear from day one.

‘I was put in there for that reason. I did not want to disappoint Big Brother. I was put in there to stir the pot, so I just did what I was cast to do,’ he explained. 

He adds that the housemates never warmed to him.

‘I do not think it ever turned. I think from the very beginning they did not like me. It probably took four or five days for people like Coco to like me and realise I was just a bit of hot air,’ Michael said. 

He believes his eviction was sealed before he even had the chance to find his footing.

‘If I had survived last night I probably would have cruised through an extra week or two, but sadly that was not to be,’ he revealed. 

Despite his clashes, Michael says he learned something about himself.

‘Oh, how to deal with people like Mia and Coco who I do not really have a lot of contact with in the outside world. I grew not substantially, but maybe one percent,’ he said. 

Michael’s heated debates with Mia and Bruce made headlines, but he has no regrets.

‘Absolutely I stand by everything I said. And I loved having Bruce back me up,’ he said. 

‘I was not sure I would have anyone on my side in there but I had Bruce, Ed and Vinny. We were flying the flag for the boys.’

Michael says he is backing the boys.

‘I want one of the boys to win, but I think Emily will win because she flies under the radar. Ed is so abrasive, he is going to get nominated for sure in the next week or two,’ he explained. 

He does not think a villain could ever take the crown.

‘A villain is always going to be up for nomination. You then have to survive the public vote, and I do not think a 49-year-old male is going to survive the TikTok vote,’ Michael said. 

Michael did not hold back when discussing Holly’s relationship storyline and said that she was definitely playing a game.

‘It appears to be Holly [playing it smart]. She will be nominated every single week and she is only surviving the public vote because of her relationship with Colin,’ he said. 

Asked if he believed it was genuine, he replied instantly.

‘A hundred percent fake. Everyone in the crowd last night was on my side. I am so glad people can see it on the outside,’ Michael insisted. 

Despite living in the same area, he says he had no idea who she was before filming.

‘She lives five minutes from me. We are at the Sheaf and Taniki and the Oak every other day. I must have ordered a drink next to her 50 times and never noticed her. We will definitely hang out afterwards, unless she hears all the s**t I have slung at her since I left,’ he said. 

Michael was evicted on Sunday in a public vote alongside Holly and Trump-loving grandma Jane.

Michael, who has angered viewers with his ‘sexist’ views, blamed young women for voting him out.

‘I’m an older guy, and it’s younger girls voting. They’re not voting for me,’ he said when he got the bad news.

Fans were celebrating on X, with many glad to see the publisher go home.

‘I’m happy Michael got evicted. Australia made the right call this week,’ one person wrote.

‘MICHAEL OMG I HATE YOU!’ declared one fan of the show, with someone else posting, ‘Michael has provided nothing but a few dodgy views.’