[James]

DERMOT O’LEARY INTERVIEW


So what secrets can you tell us at this stage about the new series?

We kind of ended up - not necessarily spilling the beans intentionally - but there was a big meeting where our producer sat everyone down and said, “Look guys, we’ve got a mole and when we find out who it is, they’re gonna get sacked.” Davina and I kind of looked at each other and said, “I kind of think that might be us!” So unfortunately they don’t tell me a bloody word!

Which housemate surprised you most?

Well, I tell you who I actually didn’t think I’d like - and I’m probably a sucker for saying this – but I adored Galloway. He’s a classic politician in that he’s unbelievably charming and he knows exactly what he’s doing - but at the same time I couldn’t help but like the guy. There was just something about him, he was just so charismatic - and I know that’s politicians - but just extraordinarily charismatic and I have to say I was genuinely quite taken with the guy when I met him.

Do you think the celebrities realise what they’re letting themselves in for?

I don’t think people have any comprehension how that house has an effect on people. The effect that place has on people is extraordinary. No one has an idea of the fact that it’s such a claustrophobic place; it makes people paranoid. Everyone says this, and it’s so true, you can’t act 24/7 …so invariably the real you is always going to come out.

Are you going to be making more forays into Lycra?

When the situation calls for it…I never shy away from Lycra!

Did you get an invite to Preston and Chantelle’s wedding?

I didn’t, no…it’s a funny thing actually, I don’t know Preston well but we had him on the radio a couple of times. We’re almost responsible for him getting together with Chantelle I think, because we had him on my radio show and all he wanted to do when he came on was talk about Big Brother. So he came on [to BBLB] as a guest and he was brilliant and very articulate about BB again, so then they asked him to go on Celebrity…and he said yes… so I like to think, even though we didn’t get an invite, that somehow we had a hand in those two getting together.

Have any celebs thrown a diva strop on BBLB?

No to be honest with you, we’ve been quite lucky. [Dennis] Rodman was probably the closest because he was just so truculent and was quite difficult all the way through, I think, but other than that they’re quite good as gold.

What do you think the Big Brain psychologists would make of your behaviour if you were in the house?

That’s the reason I wouldn’t go in the house! I don’t know, I love doing Big Brain but – and I try to do this on camera - I think it’s there to be questioned, because it’s all interpretative science that whole thing. Some people I think “I absolutely agree with everything you’re saying”, but with other people I think “How does that make sense? The fact that that person scratched their head at that specific time – does that mean they’re mad? No!” So I think they’ll probably have me locked up in a straitjacket.

Lastly, if you were in the house, what would your eviction night outfit be?

Well, seeing as though we’ve just talked about it, I’d have to go for Lycra wouldn’t I?