Three former Big Brother winners reveal how the cash prize changed their lives

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Big Brother Australia will crown a winner of its rebooted season at Wednesday night’s live finale in Sydney.

And three former winners have revealed just how ‘lonely’, ‘surreal’, ‘eye-opening’ and ‘humbling’ their huge cash prizes were for them.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about the ups and downs of their experience, Reggie Bird, Ben Norris and Jamie Brooksby have given sage advice to the new winner.

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EXCLUSIVE: Three former Big Brother winners reveal how the cash prize changed their lives – as they give sage advice to the reboot’s new victor. Pictured: 2003 winner Reggie Bird

As of Tuesday, four housemates remain in the running for Seven’s cash prize, including Mat Garrick, Daniel Gorringe, Sophie Budack and Chad Hurst.

REGINA ‘REGGIE’ BIRD, SEASON THREE: 2003

Reggie was a humble Tasmanian fish and chip shop worker before she won Australian viewers’ hearts on Big Brother in 2003.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for the entire prize money to vanish for the fan-favourite, due to money woes, a divorce, health issues and being scammed. 

'After winning my life has been up and down': Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Reggie's entire prize money to vanish, due to money woes, a divorce, health issues and being scammed

‘After winning my life has been up and down’: Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for Reggie’s entire prize money to vanish, due to money woes, a divorce, health issues and being scammed 

'Don¿t trust anyone and go with your gut instincts': The reality TV star winner was swindled out of $40,000 by a fake TV producer who promised her a starring role in a travel show

‘Don’t trust anyone and go with your gut instincts’: The reality TV star winner was swindled out of $40,000 by a fake TV producer who promised her a starring role in a travel show 

‘The best part about winning the money was it didn’t feel like winning any money… And the bad, pretty much what went in the divorce,’ Reggie said.

The reality TV star winner, now 46, was swindled out of $40,000 by a fake TV producer who promised her a starring role in a travel show.

‘After winning my life has been up and down and made me more aware of people as I was very naive.’  

‘The advice I’d give the winner this year: Don’t trust anyone and go with your gut instincts as to what you do with it [the money]!’ 

'I was too young to have that much money': Jamie Brooksby (pictured) was only 22 when he won Big Brother in 2006, but says the fame and recognition can be worse than a cash prize

‘I was too young to have that much money’: Jamie Brooksby (pictured) was only 22 when he won Big Brother in 2006, but says the fame and recognition can be worse than a cash prize

JAMIE BROOKSBY, SEASON SIX:  2006 

Jamie Brooksby was only 22 when he won Big Brother in 2006, and he admits: ‘I was too young to have that much money… It was more than I could really comprehend.’

For him, the money helped ‘set him up for the future’, and the only negative part of his winning title was the overnight fame that came with it.

‘I found being recognised quite confronting. No one trains you for that… I think the experience for the guys in the house now will be far more challenging, unfortunately.

'Trust those that have your best interests at heart': While Jamie spent his money on fun nights out at first, he said it was worth having people around you that are supportive of your choices

‘Trust those that have your best interests at heart’: While Jamie spent his money on fun nights out at first, he said it was worth having people around you that are supportive of your choices

'I first sat own with a financial planner I trusted': Jamie was glad to have a supportive network who encouraged him to be sensible with his winnings and invest it in property

‘I first sat own with a financial planner I trusted’: Jamie was glad to have a supportive network who encouraged him to be sensible with his winnings and invest it in property

Jamie, now 36, is glad he had a supportive network of family and friends who encouraged him to be sensible with his winnings and use it to invest in property.

‘If anything it [the money] made me more humble. 

‘My advice, would be trust your best friends and family, and those that have your best interests at heart. Have fun. But know when to pull up stumps and be sensible.  

‘First thing I did was sit down with a financial planner friend that I trusted. That’s probably not a bad start either!’ he said.

'I couldn't really process the concept of that much money at first': Ben Norris took a screenshot of the 'surreal' moment his bank balance soared when he was transferred the winning cash in 2012 and was warned not to 'blow the money like previous winners had'

‘I couldn’t really process the concept of that much money at first’: Ben Norris took a screenshot of the ‘surreal’ moment his bank balance soared when he was transferred the winning cash in 2012 and was warned not to ‘blow the money like previous winners had’

BEN NORRIS, SEASON NINE:  2012

Ben Norris took a screenshot of the ‘surreal’ moment his bank balance soared when he was transferred the winning cash in 2012, claiming: ‘I couldn’t really process the concept of that much money at first.’

The season 12 victor said he was warned by former host Gretel Killeen to spend and invest his money wisely as previous winners had ‘blown their money and had nothing to show for it’.

Ben, 39, said winning can also be ‘quite lonely’ as he found relationships with housemates ‘disintegrated very quickly’ and he became ‘paranoid’ when it came to trusting friendships and acquaintances.

'People did treat me differently': Ben said winning also can be 'quite lonely' as he found relationships with housemates 'disintegrated very quickly' and he became 'paranoid' when it came to trusting friendships and acquaintances

‘People did treat me differently’: Ben said winning also can be ‘quite lonely’ as he found relationships with housemates ‘disintegrated very quickly’ and he became ‘paranoid’ when it came to trusting friendships and acquaintances

'I think they [the new winner] should section the money': Ben said the reboot's winner should treat themselves with one nice gift and use the rest for an investment. He said he purchased a $10,000 movie projector and then invested in a St Kilda apartment in Melbourne

‘I think they [the new winner] should section the money’: Ben said the reboot’s winner should treat themselves with one nice gift and use the rest for an investment. He said he purchased a $10,000 movie projector and then invested in a St Kilda apartment in Melbourne 

‘People did treat me differently. Some friends pulled away, while other friends put more pressure on me to catch up. A lot of people assumed I would pay for things.

The TickerTV host said he was lucky his partner encouraged him to buy an apartment and make investments for the future.

‘I think they [the new winner] should section the money for starters. They should reward themselves with a gift and then use the rest for investment. Something they can set themselves up with that will ultimately financially improve their life.

‘Reality TV is fickle. It’s not tangible. It doesn’t last and you should revel in the attention while you can. Don’t take yourself too seriously and maintain your sense of humour. Remember where you came from essentially,’ Ben added. 

Who will win? The remaining four housemates are now competing for a reduced prize of $234,656. Pictured: Sophie Budack, Chad Hurst, Mat Garrick, and Dan Gorringe

Who will win? The remaining four housemates are now competing for a reduced prize of $234,656. Pictured: Sophie Budack, Chad Hurst, Mat Garrick, and Dan Gorringe

The remaining four housemates are now competing for a reduced prize of $234,656, after Kieran stole more than $15,000 from the winner’s kitty last week.

Australia will decide who wins by voting for one of three remaining contestants ahead of the live finale on Wednesday night.

Big Brother continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven  

Tune in: Big Brother continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven. Pictured: Host Sonia Kruger

Tune in: Big Brother continues Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven. Pictured: Host Sonia Kruger