CBB star reveals dramatic impact the show had on his health as he was left to ‘fend for himself’ after leaving house
CELEBRITY Big Brother may have finished a few days ago, but the stars who took part are likely to be left feeling shell-shocked for weeks according to Ian ‘H’ Watkins.
The Steps singer was a finalist on the fifth series in 2007 and said he was left feeling paranoid and convinced that people were watching him from behind mirrors long after the show ended.
Reflecting on his experience in an exclusive interview, he said: “I do know that the aftercare is a lot better these days.
“It does affect your mental health.
“Because when you’re in there, in the night time people are watching you. And back then you could watch people sleeping 24 hours.
“I came out of there – and it was ridiculous because I know it wasn’t sane – but I would think people were watching me through mirrors for weeks afterwards.
He added: “There was no aftercare provided after the show.
“Whereas these days, I would imagine there are doctors and psychologists and a team to help afterwards.
“But we had none of that back then. You did it and you were left to fend for yourself.”
He was in the infamous series along with Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty which erupted into a huge racism and bullying row, but H doesn’t think the same thing would happen today.
He added: “It can be a bit of a poisoned chalice.
“The game has changed.”