Big Brother star is coming to Jersey – find out why

• Craig Phillips coming over in his capacity as a patron of the UK Down’s Syndrome Association
• He is to visit local charity which supports Islanders with learning difficulties
• Re-live his time on Big Brother and find out what he has done since

THE first winner of Big Brother is coming to Jersey next month to visit a local charity which supports Islanders with learning difficulties.

Since he won the first series of Big Brother in 2000, Craig Phillips has built a successful career as a DIY expert and television presenter.

He handed over his £70,000 Big Brother prize money towards an appeal to pay for a heart and lung transport operation for his childhood friend, Joanne Harris, who had Down’s Syndrome.

Mr Phillips is coming to Jersey on 17 March in his role as a patron of the UK Down’s Syndrome Association, as Les Amis marks Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week by launching its 40th anniversary celebrations.

He will spend his time at a public open day at the charity’s respite home, Mourant Lodge in Trinity, and will visit residents at some of the 30 houses and flats around the Island operated by Les Amis.

The charity’s managing director, Shaun Findlay, said: ‘We are delighted that Craig is coming to launch our very special year and to help us highlight the vital work we do empowering Islanders with learning difficulties to live normal lives.

‘Society’s attitude towards people with learning difficulties has been radically transformed over the past 40 years from living separately in institutions to leading as normal life as possible – holding down jobs and living independently in ordinary flats and houses – supported by us, as equal members of our community.

‘We hope Craig’s support and the events of this year will further our long-term goal of ensuring that Islanders with learning difficulties reach their full potential in Island life.’

‘We are delighted that Craig is coming to launch our special year and to help us highlight the vital work we do empowering Islanders with learning difficulties to live normal lives.’

Les Amis, which opened at Five Oaks in 1975, provides essential services to meet the needs of those with learning disabilities – including Down’s Syndrome and autism – and associated conditions.

Originally known as Maison Variety, it now supports 80 Islanders so that they can live independent lives in the Island community.

Les Amis also operates respite care for families and outreach services.

• The 41-year-old Liverpudlian secured a bricklaying apprenticeship when he was 18 and went on to run a successful construction business throughout the 1990s, employing 30 tradesmen and operating with an annual turnover of more than £1 million.

• In the summer of 2000, Craig beat 45,000 applicants to appear alongside nine other contestants on Britain’s first reality TV show, Big Brother.
• Watched by over 10 million people, Big Brother was a huge success – fascinating both the public and the media – and after more than nine weeks in the Big Brother house, Craig won the series with 3.7 million votes, £70,000 prize money and a National Television Award for Best Live Television Moment of the Year.

• Craig famously donated his entire winnings to childhood friend and down’s syndrome sufferer Joanne Harris. Within six days of leaving the show, he had raised £250,000 to pay for her life-saving heart and lung transplant.
• He went on to combine his knowledge of construction and media savvy to forge a career as one of the UK’s leading DIY and home improvement experts. He has since presented and produced over 850 DIY and home improvement shows for major broadcasters including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, Sky One, UKTV Style and Discovery Realtime, which have been broadcast throughout Europe and as far as Korea, New Zealand and the USA.
• He made his stage debut in 2002, playing Buttons in pantomime production Cinderella and has since appeared in many more pantomimes.

Following on from Down’s Awareness Week, Les Amis is celebrating its 40 anniversary with a number of events including:

• Les Amis Mastercook at Highlands College Academy of Food and Culinary Arts with Michelin Star chef Mark Jordan and Highlands Head of Catering Eileen-Buike Kelly.
• Performance at Jersey Arts Centre by the award-winning Blue Apple Theatre Company of Much Ado About Nothing on 18 May. All the actors have learning difficulties.
• Downton Charity Ball at Samarès Manor on Saturday 18 July with champagne in the rose garden, entertainment and a fundraising auction and raffle.
• BBQ.
• Sponsored walk.
• Christmas Carol service.

In 2012, Jersey’s LaurenCarré became the first Channel Islander to take part in the reality television show Big Brother

The former Hautlieu and Les Quennevais student was 20 when she entered the house.

She grew up on a St Ouen farm with her parents, Paul and Christine, and has represented the Island at karate and gymnastics, winning medals at an event in Holland in 2006. She has also competed at Island Games level. She was also an open heat winner in the 2010 Miss Battle competition.

At the start of the series she was the bookmakers’ second- favourite to win, however she was evicted in week seven.

After her eviction she appeared in a photoshoot for Nuts magazine.