‘It’s not a nice feeling’: Brian Dowling criticises Big Brother for holding ‘secret talks’ to replace him with Emma Willis

Former host said he wished Willis had called or texted him before she took over

Former Big Brother presenter Brian Dowling has criticised the show over his firing in 2013, claiming bosses held “secret talks” with his replacement Emma Willis.

The Irish star won Big Brother in 2001 and was invited to host the show when it moved over to Channel 5 in 2011. Two years later, he was replaced by Willis.

In a new interview with OK! magazine, Dowling said: “A newspaper broke the story to me when I’d signed a contract and was coming back to host two more seasons. And to find out they were in secret talks with Emma the whole time, it’s not a nice feeling.”

He added he “just had to hold my head high and walk away from” the situation.

Dowling said there is “no rift” between himself and Willis, but said “it would have been nice to get a text or a call” from her before news broke that she was replacing him.

E4 is currently showing old episodes of Big Brother in its Best Shows Ever series.

Many fans were surprised that Dowling didn’t feature on the programme.

Explaining his absence, he tweeted: ”My whole time on the show as host was tainted by how I was treated and it still affects me today.”

The Independent has contacted Channel 5 for comment.