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'I have no regrets about appearing on Big Brother'

Alice Cunningham & Wayne Bavin
BBC News, Suffolk
Getty Images Darnell Swallow smiles as he as he is evicted from the Big Brother house. He wears a light blue hoodie. Getty Images
Darnell Swallow was elected Head of House during his time on the show

A former Big Brother housemate said the show had put him on a path he did not regret.

Darnell Swallow, who was born in Ipswich but later moved to the United States, made it to the final of series nine in 2008, finishing fifth.

Before the show, he had been deported from the US after becoming involved in gang culture, leaving him back in the UK and experiencing homelessness.

Swallow reflected on his time in the limelight as Big Brother - then filmed in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire - celebrated its 25th anniversary.

He described how, prior to programme, he "did not know what I was going to do with my life".

"I had just moved here under some very unfortunate circumstances and I had no path," he said.

"A stranger on the street offered me a place to live, he said he had this really nice house in Borehamwood and I [said] 'What no electricity bills? Cool I'm in'.

"It turned out to be the Big Brother house."

Getty Images Darnell Swallow looks at the camera before he enters the Big Brother House. He wears a grey T-shirt and spreads his arms out from his body. He wears a microphone around his neck. Getty Images
Swallow entered the Big Brother house on 5 June 2008

Swallow was 26 when he entered the house and was the first contestant with albinism.

He spent 93 days inside and likened being in the house to city living.

"If you move to London and try to rent here, you get used to it really fast because it's quite similar," he continued.

"You have that first week where everyone is getting along and washing dishes and doing the laundry and putting out their best selves, but then that wears down real quick."

Getty Images Swallow lifts Big Brother presenter Davina McCall in the air following his eviction. Getty Images
Swallow, seen lifting up the then Big Brother presenter Davina McCall after his eviction, now works in the music industry and releases songs

Swallow said he was still close with fellow contestant Rex Newmark and was still being recognised.

"It's funny because I'll be at Sainsbury's just looking at vinegar real close because I don't see well, and I'll turn around and someone will have their phone out just gawking," he said.

Swallow, now 43, had no regrets from being on the show and was working in the music industry.

"It put me on a path," he said.

"It might not have been the path that I would have chosen, but it was a path nonetheless.

"I get to speak with cool people quite often so I can't be mad at that."

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