Quick Read
- Richard Storry, a 60-year-old London-based composer, won Big Brother 2025.
- He becomes the oldest winner in the show’s UK history, taking home £100,000.
- Elsa Rae was runner-up; the final six included Jenny, Cameron, Emily, and Tate.
- The season saw record streaming numbers and renewed public interest.
- ITV confirmed Big Brother will return in 2026.
Richard Storry: From ‘Late Arrival’ to Big Brother Champion
In a season defined by unexpected twists and a cast spanning generations, Richard Storry, a 60-year-old composer and author from London, emerged as the winner of Big Brother 2025. In Friday’s live finale, hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best on ITV2, Storry claimed the coveted title and a life-changing £100,000 prize, marking a new chapter in the show’s storied history. ATV Today confirmed his win, noting that Storry is now the oldest winner since the show’s UK debut a quarter-century ago.
A Season of Surprises, Social Experiments, and Record Numbers
Big Brother’s 2025 revival didn’t just return to screens—it reignited the franchise’s cultural impact. ITV celebrated over 150 million streams for the main series, Big Brother: Late & Live, and its 24/7 companion shows on ITVX, reflecting a renewed appetite for reality TV’s most enduring social experiment.
The show’s format, back to live broadcasts and public evictions, made the drama immediate. The cast included a vibrant mix of personalities: from aspiring MMA fighters and disability advocates to outspoken teachers and social workers. The house itself became a microcosm of modern Britain—debating everything from gender roles to snack rationing. The producers’ decision to cast housemates with starkly different worldviews led to heated exchanges, deeply personal conversations, and, at times, surprising alliances (Out in Perth).
The Path to the Final: Evictions, Controversies, and Emotional Moments
The journey to the finale was anything but smooth. Across 41 episodes, housemates faced a gauntlet of evictions, both planned and sudden. Notably, this season featured backdoor evictions, surprise returns, and even the removal of a contestant for inappropriate language. Early exits included Gani, whose frankness about his arranged marriage shocked viewers, and Emily, who was initially evicted in a twist but later returned (Radio Times).
Controversy also made headlines: Caroline was evicted after a misgendering incident that drew hundreds of complaints, while Nancy exited with the highest eviction nominations since 2013. By the time the finale arrived, only six housemates remained—Richard, Elsa Rae, Jenny, Cameron, Emily, and Tate—each representing a different slice of British society.
Why Richard Storry Stood Out
Unlike some of his younger housemates, Richard’s journey was marked by quiet resilience and a wry sense of humor. As one of four late arrivals, he entered almost by accident after a spur-of-the-moment application, bringing what ITV called “an older perspective to a cast dominated by twenty-somethings.” He quickly became a fan favorite for his self-deprecating dad jokes and his ability to bridge generational divides.
His personal story resonated deeply: unmarried, he had adopted an adult refugee as his son, a gesture that reflected both compassion and a willingness to defy convention. Storry was also clear about his intentions for the prize money—planning to finance a classical guitar album of his own compositions, a far cry from the usual holidays or luxury purchases that dominate reality show winnings (ATV Today).
In the run-up to the final, betting markets marked him as the runaway favorite. Esports Bets priced his odds at 2/11, with Elsa Rae, his closest rival, a distant 8/1. Darragh Harbinson of Esports Bets noted, “The stage is set for Richard Storry to convert his heavy favouritism into victory… Elsa Rae at 8/1 offers the only meaningful value for an upset, but even that looks like a long shot against a frontrunner who has ticked every box.”
The Live Final: A Decisive Victory
On the night of the live final, the atmosphere was electric. As the show’s hosts counted down to the announcement, viewers across the UK tuned in—many already convinced of the likely outcome. Richard’s victory was confirmed, with Elsa Rae finishing as runner-up, followed by Jenny, Cameron, Emily, and Tate completing the final six.
Storry’s win capped a season that was as much about generational dialogue as it was about competition. ITV quickly announced that Big Brother would return in 2026, buoyed by record engagement and a finale that felt both nostalgic and refreshingly new.
What Set This Season Apart?
This year’s edition brought several innovations. The house returned to a more transparent, live-driven format, with public votes determining evictions and a 24/7 live stream giving fans unprecedented access. The cast’s diversity—spanning backgrounds, beliefs, and ages—created moments of genuine conflict and camaraderie. Real conversations about inclusivity, representation, and privilege unfolded alongside the show’s lighter moments: secret missions, impromptu pool parties, and the ever-present drama over food rations.
The season also reflected broader cultural shifts. Issues of gender identity, social justice, and mental health weren’t just background noise—they were central to the housemates’ daily lives. The show’s producers appeared to lean into these themes, making space for both confrontation and understanding.
Looking Ahead: Big Brother’s Enduring Legacy
As Richard Storry left the house to cheers and confetti, the message was clear: Big Brother remains a mirror to society, reflecting both its divisions and its possibilities for connection. For ITV, the show’s enduring popularity is proof that, even in an age of fractured attention spans, the right mix of authenticity, drama, and relatability can still unite millions.
Richard Storry’s win is more than a personal triumph—it’s a reminder that reality television, at its best, gives voice to lives and stories that might otherwise go unheard. In a season where generational divides often seemed insurmountable, his victory offered a hopeful glimpse of understanding across the ages.
