JOSIE GIBSON beams as we raise a glass to another successful series of Big Brother.
"Cheers," she says "but I normally drink a pint of lager over champagne.”The bubbly Bristolian, 26, is more than ready to hand over the title.Josie shot to fame as the down-to-earth West Country girl from
traveller roots who opened her heart on national telly.We watched her fall in love and lose bad boy John James Parton on the reality show and she’s entertained us all on OK! TV and Big Brother’s Bit On the Side.But now, a year on and with a new man in tow,
London plumber Luke, she is look- ing better than ever. So how does she feel?“Winning Big Brother was like being thrown in a shark tank,” she reveals.“Suddenly everyone wanted a piece of me."I was so out of my comfort zone and I’ve had to learn who to trust. Only now are my feet finally touching the ground.“Some people really, really want to be famous but I never did. I just wanted to have
fun really. I was completely out of my comfort zone.”
So what advice would she give to this year’s winner?“Enjoy it,” she says, “but be careful who you trust. Do not take any of it for granted. Oh, and for God’s sake, don’t let any of it go to your head. "You’ve won Big Brother not become Michael Jackson. It’s pathetic when reality stars think they are A-listers.“They need to see a counsellor. You’ve won a reality show, you’re not a Premier League footballer or a musician with an actual talent.“I’ve never understood why people liked me. It’s only now I feel comfortable. Back then I couldn’t trust anyone and lots of people let me down.”“I felt like I was living the dream. But it was terrifying. People wanted to be my friend, they set me up and sold stories on me. Some people told me I’d changed, when I hadn’t."I thought: ‘I haven’t changed, you’ve changed because you don’t like to see me try and make something of myself’. They turned on me and it was upsetting.“All my real friends are still my best mates and know I’ve not changed.”What did she think of this year’s Channel 5 show?“This year has been my favourite Big Brother to watch because they’ve all got it on with each other. I loved that they were all so carefree and up for it.”She laughs: “It’s a good job there wasn’t a live feed because it would probably have turned into a bit of a porno.”Josie found love in the Big Brother house so does she relate to this year’s couples, Aaron and Faye and Jay and Louise? “I think Jay and Louise definitely had sex in the house. They might deny it but I would put every single penny I own on the fact that they did. “Who wants to admit they had sex on national TV though? I know how hard it is when you are in the house and you get the urge or you really fancy someone.“Then you remember that the cameras are there and you are snogging.“I liked Aaron in the beginning. I thought he was
funny and dry. But as the show progressed he came across as rude and arrogant."He managed to play a game the whole way through. He is always trying to twist and manipulate things."“He’s a complete control freak. It’s like he’s watched every single Big Brother ever and is trying to control things.“I don’t mind a game player when they are honest about it. But Aaron isn’t. He has been entertaining to watch though.“Anton was different. He was honest about being a game player but he did go a bit too far. He went in there trying to play the villain but was then shocked when he was booed.“And Aden is just so sweet. He’s just a proper little gentleman. But come on, we all knew him and Rebeckah wouldn’t last.“I love Tom. He’s one of my all-time favourites. He’s just so funny. He has been really entertaining the whole time. He was always laughing or joking and has cracked me up a few times.”What about Barbie-obsessed Alex?“I’ve loved Alex from the start. I thought she was funny but then I went off her because I found out that she short changed a blind person so she could buy her lunch.“I’ve heard a few negative things about her but I think she comes across a bit stupid.“When you are in the house for so long you do go a bit brain dead.“Louise – I think she is such a sweet girl. I did think it was funny the other night when she bought Tom and Alex the birthday present and she kept telling them how it cost £500.“When I buy someone something expensive I always leave the price tag on. I do think that her and runner-up Jay are genuine.“They fell for each other more gradually. I would like to think that they would last. But it’s a totally different ball game to when you are on the outside.“Jay is really vulgar, which puts me off a bit but I think he is probably the most genuine housemate BB has ever had. "He’d do anything for anyone he’s got a really good house.“I think in the outside world he would have given new champion Aaron a slap by now. He’s trying to wind him up.”So what does the no-longer reigning Queen of BB hope to do now?“I’m buying a cottage in the country,” she reveals.“Me and my new man are leaving London behind to buy sheep, a Great Dane and a micro pig.”“Its been fun – but I’m a country girl at
heart.”
Big Brother winner Josie Gibson, 26, is delighted by the way boyfriend Luke Sanwo treats her.
