Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best delivered the result live, cutting into the house for the moment Richard learned Britain had voted him the winner. He looked completely floored, admitting earlier in the series that he had “almost not applied at all” because he wasn’t sure he’d fit in.
During his interview, AJ and Will told him he had just broken a Big Brother record, leaving Richard momentarily speechless as he tried to process the win that fans online were already calling “absolutely deserved.”
Elsa finished as runner-up, receiving a roaring welcome as she stepped out to the crowd. Tate left first in sixth place, followed by Emily in fifth, farmer Cameron in fourth, and Northern Irish contestant Jenny in third.
Fans flooded social media praising the outcome, writing things like: “How can anybody say Richard was boring after watching those highlights? THE DESERVED WINNER.” Another added: “I’m so happy Richard won! Not because he needed to, but because he is now the oldest ever Big Brother winner.”
Richard’s late arrival to the house had become a key storyline, especially after his tense exchanges with housemate Caroline. In her exit interview, she claimed he was “boring” and even compared him to Mr Bean, saying “Richard is not funny.” But the public strongly disagreed — and it showed at the final vote.
Bookies had already slashed his odds to 1/5 in the days leading up to the finale, as support for Richard surged.
Tonight’s episode also confirmed what fans had been waiting for: Big Brother will return in 2026. ITV officially opened applications, asking hopefuls to commit to up to eight weeks inside the legendary spy house next autumn.
The live final did not include controversial ex-housemate George, who was removed earlier in the series after what ITV described as “repeated warnings” over “offensive behaviour.” George later accused the network of “leaving his life in tatters.”
Celebrity Big Brother is also set to return in Spring, bringing another wave of famous faces through the iconic doors.