It's hard to believe that this time two months ago we were staying indoors ('cause winter was still wintering back in March) to watch ITV's take on Celebrity Big Brother night after night. You know, the iconic reboot which managed to secure the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Fern Britton, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Marisha Wallace. Channel 5 could never.
The CBB house was made up of the perfect mix of old school telly icons (we will forever be grateful to Sharon and Louis for the piping hot showbiz tea they spilled - in fact, mama, kudos for saying that...for spilling) and up and coming Gen Z talent and influencers.
Heartstopper's Bradley Riches, 22, formed part of the latter squad, and the nation fell in love with him instantly. And who could blame any of us? He's talented, he's kind, he's genuine, he's honest and he lives his best life as the best Bradley he can be.
As such, a tidal wave of shock hit Big Brother fans when Bradley was suddenly evicted from the Big Brother house via the diary room just as he thought a friend or family member was going to pay him a visit AND just ahead of the final.
Remember when AJ Odudu suddenly appeared from the garden bushes like some gorgeous wood nymph delivering TRAGIC news?
The shocking scene played out on our screens on 21 March, with Bradley revealing on Good Morning Britain, "I was expecting one of my family members or my friends or even my dog, but when I saw the heel come round the corner I knew something wasn't right as no one I know wears heels that big."
It's safe to say Bradley's housemates were not happy and nor were the nation, with a huge number (210, apparently) of viewers "flooding Ofcom with calls" complaining about the "cruel" eviction – easily the most complained about moment of the series (sorry, Louis, no one can say you didn't try). Many individuals on social media claimed that the twist left Bradley looking shocked and hurt after many weeks away from his nearest and dearest.
Fast forward to the here and now and Bradley has opened up to heatworld about his shock eviction on the red carpet at the BAFTA TV Awards.
Speaking of the controversial incident, Bradley said, "The most Ofcoms of the series! Kind of a serve! Being autistic and neurodiverse going on that show was a big thing to get my head around anyway and for them to evict me in that way, I understand why people were hurt and upset by that but I signed the contract, they can do what the hell they want! They were very supportive and there were a lot of things in place for me to make it a more enjoyable experience."
Opening up about his eviction night, Bradley revealed why he was escorted through the diary room and not the front door, like the rest of his housemates. He said, "The main front door was broken, it wasn’t opening. I was meant to walk out on the stage with no one there but the door was jammed. That’s why I went through the diary room door."
Bradley then revealed that upon his surprise eviction he still didn't get to see any of his loved ones for 24 hours, explaining, "I didn’t see any of my loved ones for 24 hours because I was in lockdown because no one knew I left. That was the hardest bit."