Davina McCall says Nadia Almada is her all-time favourite ‘Big Brother’ housemate.
The 52-year-old presenter – who hosted the fly-on-the-wall series for 10 years until it moved from Channel 4 to Channel 5 after the 2010 season – thinks the series five winner deserved to win as she "opened Britain’s eyes" to being transgender.
Speaking on ‘Big Brother: Best Show Ever’, she said: "I’d possibly say because it meant so much to her, Nadia.
"I did love Brian, he’s a very close second, but it meant more to Nadia. It was more of a surprise. Nadia went in there having never been accepted for who she was."
During her time on the show, Nadia kept her transgender identity a secret from the other housemates – though viewers at home were aware – to enter the house without judgement, and ended up bagging four million votes from the nation to be crowned the winner in 2004, taking home £63,500.
Nadia said at the time: "I could die tomorrow and be a very happy person.
"I just feel so comfortable and if you’d seen me six months ago, I wouldn’t have been comfortable at all, with pictures of me as I was before, or anything. ‘Big Brother’ changed me."
And Davina believes the now 43-year-old star taught her and the rest of the country "a lot" about the trans community.
She continued: "’Big Brother’ gave her an opportunity to be someone completely new, no past, no history and no judgement and people totally accepted her for who she was.
"I think that meant so much to her. It meant a lot to the trans community too. Britain opened their eyes, I learnt a lot. She had such an important story to tell. I also love fiery tempers!"