Big Brother’s Craig Phillips, 49, reveals his wife Laura has given birth

Big Brother’s Craig Phillips has revealed his wife Laura has given birth to their second child, after sharing the news on Instagram on Wednesday.

After revealing the pregnancy on Lorraine back in June, the TV star, 49, shared a snap with his 19,500 followers to reveal they had welcomed another bundle of joy.

When he announced their news originally, the first Big Brother winner, detailed the struggles of having a baby in lockdown, saying: ‘The NHS as we know have been fantastic and a lot of her conversations have been over the phone to the midwives.’

Craig looked overjoyed in the snap – despite his face being obscured by a mask – as he held up a car seat and simply penned: ‘Guess what?’

As with many couples in the pandemic, it has not been wholly straightforward as partners are not permitted to go into scans. 

He said: ‘She did go in for her first scan after 12 weeks which of course I wasn’t allowed to attend due to regulations. So that was a bit daunting and nervous for her.’

Craig also spoke about the upcoming 20th anniversary Big Brother show which aired on E4 earlier this year.

Describing when he first got the call to go on the groundbreaking reality show, he said: ‘It was a real surreal moment. I was shortlisted from 45,000 people, after many checks. I took the call days before and they said, “Craig you’re picked, you’re one of the 10 housemates”.’

He famously went on the show to raise money from his late friend Joanne Harris and says he had ‘no interest in fame or having a TV career’. 

After winning the show, he immediately donated his £70,000 prize to Joanne, who had Down’s Syndrome, to pay for a heart and lung transplant.

Within days, donations from the public poured in and Joanne soon reached her £250,000 target. She died in 2008.

Craig also told Lorraine that his wife Laura, who welcomed their first daughter Nelly last year, watched him on TV on Big Brother before she had met him.

He said: ‘Laura told me she remembers watching it on TV with her family when she was still at school. 

‘She never thought while watching the show that she would become my wife!’

On Sunday, Big Brother is returning for a special episode celebrating its best moments over its 20 years.

Presenting icons Davina McCall, Rylan Clark-Neal, Emma Willis and Dermot O’Leary, will join forces for the first time as they share their thoughts on some of the juiciest and most memorable episodes of Big Brother for E4’s Big Brother: Best Shows Ever.

Dermot, 47, and Emma, 44, will join Davina, 25, and Rylan, 31, in the first episode on Sunday 14th June at 9pm on E4. They will also contribute to episodes across the series.

Running for ten episodes, the presenters have shot the new series from the comfort of their own homes. 

Davina hosted Big Brother on Channel 4 between 2000 and 2010. 

Emma who hosted Big Brother on Channel 5 from 2013 – 2018 said: ‘It’s no secret that I’m a mega fan of the show so it was so fun to reminisce about all of the incredible moments from BB over the years.’

Dermot hosted Big Brother’s companion show on Channel 4, Big Brother’s Little Brother from 2001 – 2008.

He said: ‘Just under 20 years ago I started working on a show named Big Brother. 

’20 years on, it’s still one of the most talked about reality shows of all time, and I’m so excited to take a walk down memory lane and come together with Davina, Rylan and Emma to reminisce.’

Last week, Rylan shared a behind the scenes photograph of himself and Davina commentating on the Big Brother Best Ever Shows special.

The TV presenter admitted that his 12-year-old self had the ‘time of his life’ while filming for the 20th anniversary special of the groundbreaking reality show.

Beside images of Rylan and Davina holding up their arms to make a heart shape, he wrote: ‘So 12 year old me just had the time of his life today. Thank you @davinamccall . #BBUK forever! @e4grams @channel4.