Big Brother 7 Cast: Tragedy, Bankruptcy, Clergy 20 Years Later

Big Brother series seven has forever been dubbed the 'best season of ever' thanks to its iconic cast.

Names such as , Pete Bennett and Aisleyne Wallace Horgan were among the rising stars who appeared on the 2006 show.

Many stars have had varied fates from a tragic death, to bankruptcy and joining the clergy.

Back in 2006, contestants were in the house for approximately 93 days unless they were evicted beforehand. Series' nowadays air between 42 and 48 days. 

The series was voted the British public's favourite reality TV series of all time and fans still to this day agree.

'I could write a dissertation on this series alone. Iconic cast', 'This series will live in my head rent free forever', fans wrote on social media this week.

'The best season of reality TV ever', 'So many iconic characters/moments!'

As the series marks its 20th anniversary, the Daily Mail looks into where the cast are now.

Pete Bennett

Pete Bennett, 44, went on to win the show as the first contestant with Tourette's after winning over the nation's hearts.

Since his triumph, Pete has battled his own demons from suffering a drug addiction to becoming homeless.

Despite being given £100,000 of prize money and releasing a successful autobiography, Pete became broke and lived off the charity of friends. 

Speaking on the Jeremy Kyle show back in 2015, the star revealed that he didn't have a roof over his head and spent each night sofa surfing. 

He believes that finding fame on Big Brother kick started a range of problems that led to a dependency on the Class B drug ketamine. 

He said at the time: 'I had all of that money and I didn't know what to do with it – I put it on the wrong things. The fame pushed me in a way that I didn't want to go.'

Pete continued: 'I first got into drugs 15 years ago, I've always been the last man standing at a party but then I became addicted to ketamine.

'I couldn’t go out without doing it. It became a habit and I did it every day. I couldn't go anywhere without getting given stuff. I don’t want to know how much I spent on it.'

Pete managed to turn his life around after he set up his own cleaning company.

Now an actor, Pete has starred in Amazon series Green Fingers and plays in the rock band LoVeDoGz. 

Glyn Wise

Glyn Wise, 38, announced last year that he was officially ordained as a deacon, nearly 20 years after he appeared on the reality show.

Glyn, who came second on the reality show back in 2006, first announced that he was in the process of training to be a Catholic priest in his native Wales back in 2022. 

The former TV star posted a picture dressed in a black shirt and clerical collar to his 15,000 followers.

He penned: 'This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you!

'Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - "With God all things are possible" Math 19: 26. Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the disciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations!'

Glyn then uploaded a string of pictures with his family including his mum, dad and older sister.

Glyn previously admitted his decision to embrace Christianity and become a priest began after he lost himself to the whirlwind of publicity after his appearance on the hit reality show.

The Welshman was just 18 years old when he appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother.

Glyn, who previously told how he 'prayed his way onto Big Brother' has been a Christian since birth.

But he admitted to losing touch with his faith while being filmed 24-hours a day, and would often pray beneath the sanctuary of his duvet because he feared being mocked for his faith.

He told the Daily Mail when he began his training in 2022: 'I had so much faith and determination to get a place on TV’s biggest reality show.

'I prayed and as always – God was listening. He guided me through the audition process easily until I entered the show.

'Back in 2006, one in four of the population would watch reality TV. I prayed for God to guide me through the game show and eventually, after three months of being locked in a house I finished as runner-up.

'However, I prayed under the covers as I thought "being cool" was more important than being a Christian, which I heavily regret.'

Aisleyne Wallace Horgan

Aisleyne Wallace Horgan, 47, has been spotted making appearances on Ultimate Big Brother, Celebrity Coach Trip, Judge Rinder and First Dates since finding fame.

She recently unveiled her new romance with her new boxer boyfriend.

The TV star was previously linked to a US basketball player and had an on-off relationship with Mike Tyson for around three years. 

She has also dated actor and Big Brother star Jason Burrill and even claimed to have snogged Jack Whitehall in a cab. 

Since her exit, Aisleyne has spent £100,000 on cosmetic surgery but says she still feels unattractive. 

The TV star opened up about the work she's had done - which involves around 30 different procedures.

'After all that (procedures) I'm still standing here a cautionary tale, because here's the devastating truth: I don't think I'm beautiful and I still want more', she told The Sun.

Aisleyne has had a BBL which cost £18,000, liposuction, a neck lift, eyelid surgery and four boob jobs which gave her 34FF breasts.

She has also taken counterfeit weight loss jab Ozempic from the black market as she wasn't happy with her weight.

The star thought her spree of procedures would make her look younger but she is now having to have some of her surgeries reversed at great expense.

She said: 'This is why I agree with Kate as women are seeing surgery as 'normal' when it isn't. We are turning into clones all looking the same. Kate thinks it's terrifying and she's absolutely right, I'm living the terrifying part right now.'

Richard Newman

Richard Newman survived eviction six times while he was in the Big Brother house.

During his time, he struck up a friendship with fellow housemate Lea Walker and they referred to themselves as Dickie and Dolly.

Following his exit, Richard went on to present a show with her on Gaydar radio for two years.

They interviewed the likes of Gail Porter, Alan Carr and Kim Wilde.

Nikki Grahame

From the moment she burst onto our television screens, it was clear that Nikki Grahame was a force to be reckoned with.

Dressed as a sexy pink bunny, in fishnet tights, a satin corset and rabbit ears, for the launch of Big Brother 2006, she instantly made her mark as one of the most memorable contestants in the history of the Channel 4 series.

Known for her tantrums and flounces - cue the iconic phrase: 'Who is she!?' - one was never sure what would trigger another dramatic outburst, which steered the TV star to win over the hearts of the nation, despite coming in fifth place on the show.

Unfortunately, Nikki's newfound fame quickly became overshadowed by her lifelong battle with anorexia - which tragically lead to her death on April 9, 2021, at the age of just 38. 

Nikki was evicted on day 58, but went back into the house after the remaining contestants picked her to return.

After Big Brother, she bagged her own reality show, Princess Nikki, which saw her attempt to keep various jobs.

She also appeared on a slew of shows including Celebrity Scissorhands, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The Weakest Link, and a Channel 4 poll named her the 12th most 'written about' person of 2006 in the UK.

Prior to Big Brother, Nikki, then an aspiring actress, appeared as an extra in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and played a footballer's wife in Sky One's Dream Team.

She also appeared as a contestant on ITV dating show Blind Date and competed in the 2004 Miss Hertfordshire pageant.

Nikki also won a National Television Award for most popular TV contender and published two books, the autobiographies Dying To Be Thin and Fragile.

Jennie Corner

Jennie Corner was a Liverpudlian student who came in sixth place when she appeared on the show in 2006.

The Big Brother star appears to have snubbed showbiz for good, having got a career in sales according to Heat World.  

Imogen Thomas

Imogen Thomas, 43, was best friends with Nikki Grahame during her time in the Big Brother house.

The TV star is a British model from Wales and is best known as the winner of Miss Wales 2003.

Back in 2011, it was revealed that the model had a six-month affair with Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs.

She went on to have two children with Adam Horsley.

Imogen, who now boasts 281,000 followers on Instagram, is now a buy to let property investor and regularly shares her lavish lifestyle on social media.

Suzie Verrico

Suzie Verrico now lives a quiet life away from the spotlight, boasting just hundreds of Instagram followers.

She and her husband enjoy travelling and staying in lavish hotels like the Ritz and driving in limousines. 

During her time on Big Brother, Suzie clashed with late star Nikki Graham. 

Mikey Dalton and Grace Adams-Short

Series seven stars Grace Adams-Short and Mikey Dalton are Big Brother's longest-surviving romance.

The couple welcomed son Atticus in January 2022, and are also parents to Georgiana, 13, Spencer, 10, and Allegra, six.

The dance teacher, 40 and her husband, 43, spoke to Heat Magazine last year about their romance and the intensity of falling in love under the glare of Big Brother's eye - and how finding one another pre-social media helped their lasting union. 

She said: 'We got engaged after four months and everybody said it was a short amount of time, but they didn't understand that we were with each other 24 hours a day. Our first week together felt like we'd been in a relationship for six months'. 

Despite a string of romances that blossomed in front of viewers' eyes across several series of the show, Grace and Mikey are the only couple still together today.

The couple tied the knot in 2009 and admitted that not finding each other in the age of social media was a definite help in establishing their love.

Grace said: 'Life was so different then. There was no Instagram, it was just a totally different world. If you wanted to say something, you had to do an interview with a glossy mag. We used to do so many interviews with Heat...

'That was the way you would respond to things. Whereas now everyone just does a social media post.'

Mikey went on: 'I liked the old way - I'm glad we did it at a time before social media. There's more negativity now while we just enjoyed it for what it is was. We both went in just for the experience and were lucky to find each other'.

Sam Brodie

Scottish TV star Sam Brodie was evicted from the house after having a fight with Lea Walker and Nikki Grahame.

Sam now looks completely unrecognizable with short blonde hair and has dabbled in the movie industry.

According to IMDB, Sam is referenced as a notable actor and has starred in a few movies. 

Spiral

Spiral, real name Glen Coroner, is a Dublin-born DJ and rapper who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2006.

Following his exit, Spiral worked as a full time DJ in Ireland. 

Michael Cheshire

According to Heat World, Michael appeared on Judge Rinder back in 2016 where he was accused of owing fellow housemate Aisleyne £2475.

The Manchester-born reality star has a private Instagram with less than 600 followers and tries to keep out of the spotlight. 

Jayne Kitty

Jayne Kitty was a very memorable and controversial housemate on season seven.

The recruitment consultant from Slough was best known for her unapologetic rule breaking.

Jayne, who joined the house on day 44 and was evicted on day 65, attempts to keep out of the spotlight nowadays.

Lea Walker

Lea Walker formed a strong bond with Richard Newman during her appearance on Big Brother as the other half of Dickie and Dolly. 

Following her exit from Big Brother, Lea released a book and now lives a quiet life away from the spotlight.

According to Heat World, Lea is active on social media and also has an Only Fans account. 

Lisa Huo 

Lisa Huo was a trainee plumber from Manchester before she appeared on the show in 2006.

The former reality star was in the house for 37 days before being evicted. 

Sezer Yurtseven

Sezer Yurtseven entered the Big Brother house and quickly caused controversy for his arrogance and sexism.

He was made a villain almost instantly and often made degrading remarks about women in the house.

Not long after he entered, viewers swiftly evicted him after 16 days.

Just months after his exit, Sezer was arrested for rape. He has denied all allegations. 

According to The Sun, Sezer now works as a homeless campaigner. 

George Askew 

George Askew walked out of the house in 2006 because he decided he 'didn't want to be famous'.

The former reality star well and truly got his wish after disappearing from the spotlight. 

Jonathan Leonard

While little is known about his whereabouts currently, Jonathan Leonard was previously a bouncer before his appearance on the show. 

Bonnie Holt

Bonnie Holt was evicted and told not to return to the house due to a legal issue surrounding not paying for pizza.

According to Heat World, Bonnie is now a mum and sometimes shares snippets of her life on social media. 

Dawn Blake

Dawn Blake has disappeared from the spotlight since her 2006 appearance.

She was removed from the house by Big Brother producers after it was discovered she was using code to speak with the outside world. 

Shahbaz Chaudry 

Shahbaz Chaudry has kept his life very private and away from the spotlight after he walked out on day six.