Big Brother’s Brian Dowling now – Davina McCall feud, surrogacy and show axe

Brian Dowling first rose to fame when he won the second series of Big Brother back in 2000.

The reality TV star was known for his hilarious antics, flamboyant personality and overall charming approach to life. He was such a fan favourite with fans, he was later invited to present the first series of the show when it moved to Channel 5 in 2011.

He won Ultimate Big Brother in September 2010, after competing against some of the most iconic housemates of all time including Nikki Grahame, Vanessa Feltz, Michelle Bass and Chantelle Houghton.

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But Brian's not always had the best relationship with the recently rebooted reality show now on ITV. Daily Star has looked into Brian's action-packed life.

Big Brother heartache

In July 2011, just one year after his victory, he was confirmed to host the return of the iconic social experiment when it transferred to Channel 5.

He presented two instalments of the civilian series and four series of the Celebrity edition. However in 2013, he was to be replaced by Emma Willis who took over as the host of the main show, as well as presenting episodes of Big Brother's Bit On The Side.

Brian said he felt “publicly humiliated” when he found out he had been dropped from the role originally. In 2020, he said: "When I was fired I was hurt, upset and publicly humiliated. My mental health and confidence has suffered terribly for the last seven years because of that and other events that occurred whilst I was the host."

He later claimed that people were trying to "erase" his tenure. In a statement posted to Instagram this month, he said: "I was only 33 years old when I was offered the job of hosting the main show.

"I, of course, said yes, even though it was the spin-off show I wanted and not the main show. But I would have been a fool to turn it down. Speaking honestly, I always feel some people like to change history and try and erase the fact I hosted the show directly after Davina [McCall] and then it went to Emma.

"Just recently, on Friday's This Morning, for example. The new hosts of Big Brother AJ and Will were being interviewed and they were asked if they had spoken to "Emma and Davina" obviously as the ex hosts and then their pics were brought up on screen. Yet again, there wasn't even a mention of my time hosting, or even anyone on the production team that would have at least flagged that I was also an ex-presenter."

He added: "It would have been so lovely to have been included, or to even get a thumbs up from my peers would be INCREDIBLE. I find it so odd that this keeps happening."

Feud with Davina

Brian was later left further annoyed when he was not featured at all in the show Big Brother: Best Shows Ever. He was unhappy when Davina appeared to support the show and claimed Brian had been invited to take part in the show, which he claimed tied to "re-write history" by leaving him out.

In 2022, the TV star told The Sun that he had not received an apology from Davina regarding her remarks. He said: "I was uncomfortable with Davina's truth because they weren't Davina's truths to tell. They were my truths to tell, and how I felt regarding my firing from Channel 5."

"Davina worked on a show on Channel 4. Davina and I had a good relationship up until the summer of last year, but things were said publicly that weren't true and weren't fair."

He also said: "I’ve not got an apology for stuff that was said. I know what happened to me during my time on that show – Davina McCall doesn’t because she wasn’t on the show. She resigned and left the show on Channel 4, and she passed me her microphone>"

Surrogacy and marriage

Brian is now married to Dancing with the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian – they tied the knot back in 2015. Together they share a daughter called Blake who was born last September.

They posted a gushing tribute to their daughter on Instagram just weeks ago. He wrote: "I’ve been feeling super emotional all week, and I just hope I can keep it together until we cut the cake. It's honestly been the QUICKEST YEAR OF OUR LIVES. Happy Birthday, our beautiful baby girl."

They even documented their journey to becoming dads with the documentary Brian & Arthur’s Very Modern Family. In order to make their dream a reality, Brian's sister Aoife was the surrogate.

He has revealed that his sibling is his child's legal mother. Paying tribute to her on Instagram, he said: "You are a saint to us and we will forever be grateful to you for the rest of our lives. Baby Blake can’t wait for her Aunty Aoife to spoil her."

Gogglebox

Brian is now 45-years-old and to this day he is still very active on television. He regularly hosts segments the Six O'Clock Show on Virgin One and has interviewed guests such as Delta Goodrem.

Brian and Arthur have appeared on the Irish edition of Celebrity Gogglebox. Brian's sister Aoife commented: "Popcorn at the ready."

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