Unpopular opinion: I couldn’t STAND Brian Dowling.

[Joe.]

Okay so I’ve watched 50% of BB2. His presenting stint was dire, at least Chen-bot admits to her roboticness but Brian was very forced and just awful. I am re-watching UBB and cannot understand in the slightest HOW he won?!?! Thoughts?

[Captain.Remy]

Probably because he's a well-rounded housemate, level-headed, campy, funny, out of the drama and just so likeable.
In hindsight, in 2001 not that many gay people were on TV and a lot of viewers who had pre-conceived ideas about gay people, and I think he has shown such a good side to him that people may have changed their views (a little bit at least) about them. He was not a host, an artist, a singer, just him. That was big for 2001.
And he got 4,2 million votes I think in BB2. And almost 50% of the votes in UBB (though it was obvious from day 1 he would win).

[Beso]

Hahaha....

You missed the live feed where brian shone.

That's where his fans came from.

[Niamh.]

Best HM ever

[Cherie]

He was of his time, probably wouldn’t win now as reality has moved on