Big Brother winner Pete Bennett is unrecognisable after ditching the colourful hair dye and ripped jeans… 14 years after appearing on show
Even die-hard Big Brother fans could be forgiven for not recognising the bookish, conservatively dressed young man who stares out of a recent social media post.
Indeed, with a notably toned down appearance, the show’s former winner Pete Bennett appears to have radically changed his look since walking away with its £100,000 prize money in 2006.
With his punkish bleached hair and outlandish wardrobe, the now 38-year old endeared himself to millions after entering the show despite suffering from chronic Tourette Syndrome.
Quite a difference: Former Big Brother winner Pete Bennett appears to have radically changed his look since walking away with its £100,000 prize money in 2006
His subsequent on-off romance with fellow contestant Nikki Grahame became another key talking point during his appearance on the defunct show’s seventh series.
Sharing a recent image with fans, the TV personality ditched the ripped sweaters and T-shirts that characterised his appearance in favour of a conventional white shirt and blazer.
While the jeans were still present, they were of a smarter variety than the the fraye denims he wore in Big Brother’s purpose built Elstree compound.
Gone too is the colourful hair dye, with a mop of brown hair replacing Pete’s trademark Mohican haircut.
Quite a difference: Sharing a recent image with fans, the TV personality ditched the outlandish clothes that characterised his appearance on Bog Brother in favour of a conventional white shirt and blazer
Main man: Pete became something of a household name following his triumphant appearance in the Elstree compound (pictured after his win in 2006)
The reality star previously described his experience on Big Brother and the instant fame that followed as a ‘crazy whirlwind’ and admitted he was ‘on acid’ when he applied for the show.
In an interview with 2015 contestant Simon Gross for Get Gossy with Grossy, the media personality recalled: ‘I was 24 I was a raver, it just all went on bailiffs, the tax man, drugs. It was a crazy whirlwind.’
Five years ago, the TV star revealed he was homeless after battling an addiction to ketamine.
Smitten: His on-off romance with fellow contestant Nikki Grahame became another key talking point during his appearance on the defunct show’s seventh series
But he insisted he’s come a long way from his dark times, adding: ‘I was going to raves and was on acid when I applied for Big Brother, I’m not doing drugs much now. You can now see my lips.’
Pete, who has suffered with Tourette’s syndrome since childhood, also said he gained confidence from the programme after being ridiculed for his condition as a teen.
He explained: ‘I was bullied before I went into the show for calling people w*****s because of my Tourettes.’