In a dramatic start to the revived Big Brother Australia, controversial single father Michael Downs became the first housemate to be evicted following a public vote on Sunday night.
The Eviction Fallout
The 47-year-old publisher found himself facing elimination alongside model Holly and Trump-supporting grandmother Jane, but it was Michael who received the boot after angering viewers with what many described as sexist views.
When receiving the bad news, Michael immediately pointed fingers at younger female voters. "I'm an older guy, and it's younger girls voting. They're not voting for me," he claimed in his exit interview.
Viewers took to social media platform X to celebrate his departure, with one fan declaring: "I'm happy Michael got evicted. Australia made the right call this week." Another didn't hold back, labelling him a "loser" while others expressed relief at his early exit.
Surprising MAFS Connection Revealed
In an exclusive revelation, Daily Mail uncovered that Michael was originally cast as an intruder on Married At First Sight 2026. However, producers scrapped the plan at the eleventh hour after struggling to find him a suitable match.
According to a production insider familiar with the situation, Endemol Shine Australia had been in active discussions with Michael for months, excited about bringing him into the MAFS experiment as a late-season shake-up.
"They genuinely thought he'd be great TV. Michael is strong-willed, blunt and totally unfiltered," the insider revealed. "But the problem was his criteria. He was very specific about what he wanted in a partner. They just couldn't find a bride who matched what he described."
Another source explained that producers felt "backed into a corner" as filming deadlines approached. "They tried every avenue, but nothing fit," the second insider clarified. "He wasn't willing to compromise, and they weren't willing to force an incompatible match just for drama."
From MAFS Rejection to Big Brother Casting
Instead of appearing on MAFS, Michael was quietly redirected to another franchise under the same production umbrella - Big Brother Australia - where executives believed his personality would be "better utilised."
His recruitment immediately raised eyebrows among dedicated fans, given Big Brother's strict eligibility rules that ban contestants from working for or being associated with media organisations.
Network 10 issued a statement addressing the growing criticism, clarifying that Michael serves as CEO of a publishing company responsible for national magazine titles including FHM, Women's Fitness, Krash and It Girl.
"The company is responsible for the printing and delivery of these magazines," the spokesperson insisted, maintaining this didn't violate their casting rules.
When questioned about his selection, the network highlighted his unique qualities: "Michael is outspoken, opinionated, mature, brings a no-nonsense attitude to the house, is a single dad to three teens, and represents a demographic no one else represents in the house."
Behind the scenes, production insiders confirm that Big Brother bosses are thrilled with the outcome, despite his unconventional entry. One source summarised the sentiment perfectly: "He's messy, he's divisive, he sparks debate and he's not afraid to argue. He's the exact kind of character producers pray for."
