Celebrity Big Brother final, recap: Courtney Act wins as Ann Widdecombe comes second
The polyamorous crowd-pleaser edged out the political powerhouse. Here’s all the talking points from Friday night’s five-way live final on Channel 5.
Courtney Act cruised to a well-deserved win
Shane Jenek, aka Australian drag queen Courtney Act, went into this final as the overwhelming favourite to win. The star of RuPaul’s Drag Race duly romped home with a huge 49 per cent of the public vote. From the moment we heard the crowd baying for a Courtney win, the result was a foregone conclusion.
The 36-year-old hit headlines after an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction on the way into the house but has since become a firm fan favourite. Whether as Shane or Courtney, he’s been smart, articulate and highly entertaining.
Most importantly, he’s been a hugely influential force for good, educating both housemates and viewers about LGBTQ and gender issues in a way that was wise, witty and never finger-waggy. Even Ann Widdecombe, not the most natural supporter of polyamorous cross-dressers, admitted: “Shane’s a delightful young man.” Albeit she did add, tongue in cheek: “Courtney’s a tart.”
Resplendent in a pink wig and sparkly blue eyebrows, Courtney described her victory as “validation that it’s OK to be different”. The warmth in the studio was infectious and it was nigh-on impossible not to find it uplifting. The place was full of Courtney love.
Ann Widdecombe was a worthy runner-up
Courtney Act’s closest rival couldn’t have been much more contrasting: 70-year-old former Conservative politician, devout Christian, proud virgin and self-styled “scourge of political correctness” Ann Widdecombe.
With her unfashionable views and demeanour of grumpy disapproval, Widdy did extraordinarily well to confound her critics and get this far. In her post-eviction interview, she admitted she was “throughly bemused”. Yet in many ways, Widdecombe was the perfect housemate.
Her forthright opinions created plenty of drama. She built a sweet grandmotherly relationship with flighty young things Ashley James and Jess Impiazzi, and formed an unlikely bond with Love Islander Jonny Mitchell. Her eye-rolling expressions and endearingly ham-fisted attempt to use hair straighteners went viral.
The house battle-axe figure has reached several Big Brother finals but never won and that pattern continued here. However, just as she did on Strictly Come Dancing seven years ago, Widdecombe did her public image the power of good.
Her interview here was a case in point. She grumbled about “loud pop music”, denied that her views had shifted an inch and took host Emma Willis to task about the “misinformation” that her pet cats were still alive. Yet there was also a knowing twinkle as she admitted tapping her foot to the beats and claimed she would only attend the series wrap party “if supplied with a pair of builder’s ear muffs”. The unlikely star of the series concluded that her second-place finish was an “endorsement of free speech”. Amen to that.
Gender and sexuality were running themes of series
How very 21st century, darling. Surely no series has ever been so dominated by enlightened discussions of gender and sexuality as this one.
The 16 housemates included a transgender woman, a drag queen, two gay men and a mature bisexual woman in a same-sex marriage - not to mention a politician opposed to LGBT rights. This sparked endless conversation: some of it enlightening, some infuriating but rarely less than fascinating to watch.
Celebrity Big Brother winners 2001-2016: in pictures
Reality TV might be much-maligned in certain snobbish circles but Big Brother has always been a beacon of out, loud and proud diversity. Lesbian ex-nun Anna Nolan was runner-up in the debut series. The second series was won by gay Irish flight attendant Brian Dowling and series five by transgender Nadia Almada. The 13th series saw Luke Anderson become the first trans-man to appear on the show - and he went on to win it. Trailblazers all of them.
The series returned BB to its roots of being a social experiment. Cleverly cast, thoughtfully produced and sparking debates on sofas at home. More like this please, producers.
Final five went according to form
If there was one thing missing from this final, it was surprises. For once, the result went precisely according to bookies’ predictions.
First out and in fifth place was rank outsider, pocket rocket and Baby Spice impersonator Wayne Sleep. In fourth spot was glamour model and Ex On The Beach “star” Jess Impiazzi - the sweet-natured ray of sunshine who made it into the final without a single nomination.
In third position was Boyzone’s Shane Lynch. There might have been more Shanes in this final than in an Australian cricket team but this was the one with the head-to-toe tattoos and bizarre Ireland-meets-Mockney-in-the-mid-Atlantic accent. The wise old dad of the house was a reassuring presence and merited his bronze medal.
Year of the woman was a washout
This series was subtitled “The Year Of The Women”, marking the centenary of women’s suffrage and launching with an all-female cast. The house dormitories were even named the Davison Bedroom and the Pankhurst Bedroom. So far, so sisterly.
Disappointingly, it all turned out to be a faux-feminism sham. Male housemates arrived two days later and the series soon became much like any other. The first three housemates evicted were women. Three of the five finalists were men. The winner wasn’t a woman, it was a man in drag.
Courtney Act had the awareness to acknowledge this awkwardness in his exit interview, noting that it was “slightly ironic” and paying tribute to the “eight glorious women in the house”. But as the credits rolled and Beyoncé’s “Run The World (Girls)” soundtracked the series’ climactic moments, it felt like a missed opportunity.
Emma Willis made an engaging host
Davina who? Presenter Emma Willis really has made the Big Brother gig her own. So much so that it’s become easy to take for granted what a great job she does.
Stepping into the much-loved Davina McCall’s shoes was no easy feat but Willis has proved a worthy successor. She’s just slick enough, irreverent and spontaneous when it’s appropriate, full of infectious enthusiasm and has a warm, winning way with the housemates.
She helmed proceedings with typical ease tonight. Even if her pink fluffy, furry jacket did make her look like Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street.
There’s life in the old show yet
Big Brother fans have been voicing their fears on social media after rumours that the show could soon be axed. Channel 5’s contract with production company Endemol does come to an end this year. After another celebrity and “civilian” series apiece, as is currently scheduled, could the fly-on-the-wall franchise finish after 18 years on-air?
It would be a shame if the show didn’t make its 20th anniversary. Everything has its day, of course, but this series has been an improvement on recent runs. Ratings have duly picked up to 2m. This summer’s civilian series will apparently feature some Love Island-inspired format tweaks in response to the ITV2 flirt-fest’s popularity last year.
With the right casting and canny marketing, Big Brother can still be a money-spinner in (excuse the “meedja”-speak) the 18 to 35-year-old demographic. If Channel 5 decides not to renew its deal, don’t be surprised to see Sky1 or ITV2 pick up the BB baton.