Craig Phillips, the first winner of Big Brother UK in 2000, now works as a property developer, television host and DIY expert alongside his wife Laura. The former builder won the inaugural series with 60.3% of the final vote on 15 September 2000, aged 28, in front of almost 10 million viewers.
Time in the Big Brother house
Craig spent 64 days in the Big Brother house. He played a key role in the unmasking of 'Nasty Nick' – housemate Nick Bateman – revealing Nick's tactic of writing names on paper scraps to manipulate nominations and influence evictions. Craig also built a makeshift assault course and gymnasium in the garden, using patio furniture, water containers and timber logs as improvised weights.
He received 20 nominations and faced elimination five times during the second half of the series. When presenter Davina McCall announced him as the winner ahead of Anna Nolan, Craig appeared so overwhelmed by the crowds that security personnel took him to a hotel. Mental health professionals briefed him on his sudden fame.
Winnings and charity pledge
Craig pledged his £70,000 prize to his friend Joanne Harris, who had Down's syndrome, to fund her heart-and-lung transplant surgery. He raised an additional £250,000 for the appeal days after leaving the house.
Current work and family life
Craig and his wife Laura run a home renovation platform and YouTube channel called @MrandMrsDIYTV, producing instructional videos and running building workshops in Liverpool. He appears as a resident DIY specialist on shopping channels such as QVC UK and is a brand ambassador for Silverline Tools, Wagner and Tile Mountain.
The family recently moved from Liverpool to Majorca. Craig splits his time between the UK and the Balearic Islands, where his children Nelly and Lennon attend school. He also works as an after-dinner speaker and event host, and serves as a patron for the Down's Syndrome Association and the road safety charity Brake.
Net worth and career
Craig's estimated net worth is between £1 million and £6.8 million. Before television, he was a trained bricklayer and ran his own building company. He has said his most successful financial move was investing in a buy-to-let property portfolio.
After winning Big Brother, he secured a DIY expert contract with the BBC and has appeared in over 800 television episodes across ITV, Channel 4 and Discovery. He earns income from corporate endorsements, public speaking and digital media ventures.
Big Brother Series 23 is set to premiere on Sunday 13 September 2026 on ITV2 at 9pm.
