Big Brother's Charlie made family so proudSep 6 2009 by Katy Simpson, Sunday Sun
Charlie Drummond
HE didnât win, but North Big Brother finalist Charlie Drummond has made his family proud.
The 22-year-old model from Newcastle ranked fourth in the final, which was won by glamour model Sophie Reade.
Charlie, a former JobCentre customer adviser, from Heaton, told presenter Davina McCall he was not disappointed as he had fulfilled his dream of being on the show.
Charlie tried twice previously to get on Big Brother, and his sister Sara Drummond has told how he dreamed of making it on to TV.
Now Sara has told the Sunday Sun her whole family was thrilled with how far he got.
The 21-year-old from Byker, Newcastle, said: âIâve just got back from going down to see it filmed.
âCharlie is not back yet because he has to stay there for another week.
âIâm very proud of him. He is over the moon.â
But the outgoing Toon fan was booted out of the house on Friday with just 13 per cent of the vote to come fourth in the reality show.
Presenter Davina McCall quizzed Charlie after he left the house. Asked if he was disappointed not to win, he said: âI have already won. I have got on the show.â
Charlieâs mother Sharon has been ill for two years and needs round-the-clock care after suffering an aneurysm.
He told McCall he believed she would have got stronger during his time in the house.
Charlieâs sister has previously spoken of the difficulties Charlie has suffered, which are hidden by his bubbly personality.
Sara said he was attacked in an unprovoked late-night assault, just months after he was tested for a brain condition, following his mumâs sudden collapse.
He was left with a fractured skull and a blood clot on the brain, and his family feared they might lose him.
Charlie, who was crowned the regional winner of Mr Gay UK in 2007, was walking with a friend next to the Tyne Bridge in Gateshead when the attack happened.
He was punched to the floor, and hit his head on the pavement.
Despite the damage it did to his confidence, Charlie was determined to carry on fighting to get on Big Brother.
And he won the hearts of viewers who watched as he went all the way to the final.
But in the end it was 20-year-old Sophie who won the ÂĢ71,320 which had been returned to the prize fund when housemates completed tasks.
She was the bookiesâ favourite and the only girl in last nightâs live final, but she looked shocked when her name was read out by the showâs host Davina McCall.
The model, who wears a 30GG bra, told McCall that winning made her feel âreally acceptedâ.
She said: âBecause I get my boobs out for a living people think Iâm tacky, an airhead and Iâll have no personality. I think people can see past that.â
Sophie said she would use her winnings to get hair extensions, a new flat and âmaybe another boob jobâ.
She also denied she had sex with fellow housemate Kris Donnelly while in the house but did share a bed.
âI can swear on my Chihuahuasâs lives I never,â she said.
The remainder of the ÂĢ100,000 prize money, which was taken away when the housemates tried to break out, would go to charity, McCall said.
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