Two decades may have passed, but one Big Brother moment remains burned into the memories of British television viewers - the shocking downfall of Nick Bateman, forever known as 'Nasty Nick'.
The Game That Went Too Far
During the inaugural 2000 series of Big Brother, investment banker Nick Bateman thought he'd mastered the reality TV game. His strategy? Secretly manipulate his fellow housemates through note-passing and strategic alliances. But what started as game tactics quickly spiralled into one of television's most explosive scandals.
The Dramatic Unravelling
The tension reached breaking point when fellow contestant Craig Phillips discovered Nick's handwritten notes outlining his manipulation plans. The confrontation that followed became must-see television, with viewers gripped as the truth unfolded in real-time.
"I've never seen anything like it on television before," recalls one production insider. "The atmosphere was electric, and we knew we were witnessing television history."
Beyond the Screen: Real-World Consequences
The scandal didn't end when Nick was removed from the house. The public reaction reached fever pitch, with Bateman receiving genuine death threats that forced police to provide protection. His infamy was such that he needed security escorts simply to walk down the street.
The Legacy of Reality TV's First Villain
Nick's eviction set the template for reality television drama that would follow for years to come. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the blurred lines between entertainment and real life, and how television fame can come at a devastating personal cost.
Even today, former contestants reflect on how the incident changed the nature of reality TV forever, proving that audiences were hungry for genuine drama and conflict - no matter how controversial.
