Darlington's Anthony Hutton stepped into the limelight and appeared on Big Brother in 2005 - winning the nation's hearts with his cheeky personality and charming character.
He would go on to win the Channel 4 series 19 years ago - but not everything that happened after that was a positive thing.
What the County Durham reality TV star is up to now has been revealed - and it's very much warning people of the fame element of TV shows like Big Brother and what happens when the cameras stop filming.
The TV personality has been featured in a new film, “Surviving Reality: Beyond the TV Dream”, about the realities of Big Brother.
The film delves into the psychological and social challenges faced after the show, contrasting their fame with the often-overlooked struggles that follow
Originally from Consett, Anthony emerged victorious from Big Brother when he was only 23 years old.
The next day he was given a quarter of a million pounds through a magazine deal, and more money was to come his way through TV work and sponsorship deals.
However, his time in the limelight was short-lived. The realisation that he was no longer “Anthony off Big Brother”, combined with a lifestyle of excess, ultimately led him into a dark state of mind.
It was this newfound passion and a payout from the News of the World phone hacking scandal that allowed him to open up the popular town centre bar and barber shop Mr Huttons.
The feature-length documentary is the latest production by award-winning Teesside filmmaker Paul Suggitt, who was inspired to make the film after attending a show at last year's Tees Valley International Film Festival in which Anthony and Pete Bennett discussed the intense hit of fame that Big Brother thrust upon them, and what life was like after the bubble burst.
"Their stories were fascinating, heart-wrenching, hilarious and inspirational in equal measures. From the dozens of hours worth of interviews we conducted with former Reality TV stars for the film, it became clear that getting your fifteen minutes of fame always comes with a consequence”.
Nineteen years on from his Big Brother success, Anthony is happily married with two young sons and has recently set up the groundbreaking Never Throw in the Towel Project, an initiative designed to improve mental health and reduce suicide in men through outdoor activity, open conversation and cold water therapy.
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The success of the Never Throw in the Towel Project’s monthly events has led to Anthony being invited to major companies such as Amazon, and even prisons to speak about his experiences and how others can find strength and support through times of challenge.
Speaking of his role in the making of the film, Anthony said “While I adored my Big Brother experience and have a lot to thank the show for, recalling the harder times that followed was tough.
"It was an eye opener to discover that my highs and lows on the reality TV rollercoaster mirrored those of other BB winners, but also heartwarming that we made it through the low points and got to share our stories in the film”.
“Surviving Reality: Beyond the TV Dream” will be premiered at the Tees Valley International Film Festival at ARC Stockton on November 7.
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