I was recently asked to contribute toward an article, being written by journalist Kit Marsters for the Huffington post it concerns all things Big Brother and she asked me to talk about the treatment I have received, at the hands of Big Brother this year.
I am absolutely disgusted that I am writing this blog but the facts need to come out. I am constantly being asked the same question: "Why did Big Brother ban you from the Live Shows?" and I don't have an answer and haven't been able to get one either.
As the official BBUK reporter for Big Brother's Bit on the Radio and living only a stones throw away from Elstree Studios in sunny Borehamwood, I take it upon myself, each week to go to the Big Brother house for the live shows.
I usually arrive a good few hours before the doors open and chat to the "people" who have travelled from far and wide for a chance to boo their respective hate figure or cheer their latest idol.
After exchanging twitters with the audience members I meet in the queue (mine is @MrNikkiCowan btw) and getting some photos, I will then proceed into the Big Brother compound to watch the live show and report back on events later, Live on the radio show (@BBbitontheradio btw).
After doing this twice using a valid Applause Store ticket, on the third occasion I was now being referred to by security and members of the crew as "The guy off the radio". I was ushered into a makeshift office where I was told to ask for a pass. I was given one.
After this each time I would rock up I would not even show my applause store ticket, I'd say hi to everyone walk to the makeshift office and request my pass. On one occasion I was asked who I was. I told them my name and the shows name and I was given my pass. All I had to do was sign it out. I used my real name.
On one occasion I was even asked by the production team to be on the sidekick show "Bit on the Side" which I duly accepted. I was given one piece of advice, don't plug the radio show. I didn't. I did call Darryn Lyons a rude word and mentioned the dreaded Live Feed but I have been told since that I was a great guest and would be welcome back.
Then after spending 5 hours at the compound for the Finale of Celebrity Big Brother and having lovely chats with Sally Bercow, Kerry Katona, Brian Belo and Marcus Aken and leaving on a high to do the radio show... the next day for no reason, I was banned.
I arrived to report from the Live Launch of Civilian Big Brother and was greeted on the door by a panicked and irate producer. She instructed the security guards to barricade the entrance and not let me in. As if I was going to rush the gate. She insisted I wasn't with the radio show. She then refused to speak to me.
I ended up going to the main security gate, where it was apparent my impending meeting was radioed through as by the time I walked round I was once again met by a mob of security. I asked to speak to a producer and one of the Bit on the Side crew came out.
I was told it had nothing to do with the sidekick show and that they had no control. I was told I would have to leave and speak to one of the main producers in the week. Dumbfounded I went home and went ballistic on the radio show that night.
That week I then spoke to one of the producers of Bit on the Side who told me I had upset someone on Big Brother by saying i had permission to be there form him. I unequivocally denied it as that was a total lie. He said he would find out more and call me back.
When he called me back he told me categorically that, as long as I had a press pass or an audience pass I was allowed back and that I was most certainly not banned. I therefore got myself an Applause Store ticket like I'd done EVERY time and went back on Friday.
Within a minute of arriving at the queue on Friday for Tashie's eviction I was approached by a member of the applause store team. He asked to see my ticket and when I showed it to him he took it and walked off.
I apologised to the people I was talking to and followed him at which point I was beckoned over by a police officer and surrounded by security. I could hear people in the queue gasping and muttering as I was treated like a felon and questioned over my reasons for being there.
After explaining, I was told by the Police that I was not coming on to the site today and that I should go home. Gob-smacked I asked to speak to someone higher up as there had obviously been a mix-up in communication as I was told inexorably that I was not banned.
I was told to speak to the main gate. I was accompanied to it by a member of security and the police officer. I was then told over the phone at the gate by a member of the production team that they had no problem with me being on their show but that it was full. They said they had no control over who the main show let in and they didn't know why I was banned or indeed if I even was.
I was told by the police officer in a very condescending manner that I'd be best off going home. I reminded the officer that I was still allowed on Tesco's land which Big Brother use for the fans to queue up before the gates open. the security guard concurred, telling me not to cross the railings where the people queue. i duly conceded but returned to the queue.
In my possession that day were 52 posters, A3 size in colour with pictures of Big Brother housemate Tashie crying with a fish finger wedged in her mouth. Down the side of the picture was her name spelt using only the bread-crumbed-meal-time-favourite. As I spoke to people for their opinions I gave out a free poster.
Within one minute of handing the last one out, security frog-marched their way down the queue shouting for them all to be handed in. The people in the queue were in shock, asking to keep them even if just for a souvenir but were told instead that the posters would be burned or alternatively they could leave with them now and not come into the show like me.
I was even told not to do it and that it was wrong. I left soon after telling the queue not to get into trouble over me. I was further gob-smacked though when I was tweeted from inside the compound by one of my spies who had taken a photograph of the warm-up act Andy Collins, telling the audience that if they were in possession of one of my posters that they "must hand them in or get booted out!'
Needless to say I was not in a good mood for the radio show that night and shall not bother trying to get back in this week. I will however still talk to the queue. Let them try and stop me!!!!
