More than four million people voted last night to make Kildare man Brian Dowling the winner of Channel 4's Big Brother competition. He won the £70,000 first prize in the reality TV show ahead of his rival, Welsh hairdresser Helen Adams.
There were delirious scenes at the Big Brother house in East London as Dowling was greeted by his family, friends and thousands of fans chanting his name. Brushing away tears, he said: "I can't believe it, I'm in shock."
The 23-year-old gay Ryanair steward now seems destined for a career in showbusiness.
"The interest in Brian has just been phenomenal," says a source on the programme. "He's been offered an incredible amount of stuff to do, but we're not going to be putting any requests to him until he calms down a bit."
Mr Dowling's bubbly charm has endeared him to viewers. Singer Elton John has described him as "a natural star, a real winner". TV host Jerry Springer said: "Brian is a revelation, and the best person in the house."
For 10 weeks, Dowling and 10 housemates battled it out. Brian was an early favourite with both the public and bookmakers.
Tensions ran high all yesterday at the Big Brother house as, first, housemate Dean O'Loughlin was evicted at 8.30 p.m. Dowling and Adams waited for two hours as the public cast their votes. At 11 p.m., presenter Davina McCall announced that Brian had taken about 60 per cent of the 7.2 million votes cast.
Unlike last year, Irish viewers were allowed to vote in the competition. It is believed that a significant number of votes were made from this country, but Eircom would not divulge how many, due to a confidentiality agreement with Channel 4.
Fireworks erupted around Dowling as he left the house. Reunited with his family, friends and 10 housemates, he was visibly shocked by his win. "I never expected to get this far," he said.
Dubliner Anna Nolan last year was runner-up. Brian had unknowingly developed a cult following while he was in the house. His employers, Ryanair, painted one of their planes with a banner wishing him luck and will match his £70,000 prize and donate it to the NSPCC.
In Brian's home town of Rathangan, there were scenes reminiscent of Italia 90 as locals gathered to celebrate in the Mill House pub, unofficial headquarters of the Brian Dowling fan club. The pub was decorated with bunting and banners and had a "Brian shrine" featuring pictures of him taken off the Internet. The party raged all night long.
More than eight million viewers tuned in to Big Brother each night for 10 weeks. The cameras were on the contestants at all times and one housemate was evicted each week. Brian's odds with the bookmakers shortened to 1/5 to win, then all betting on him was stopped. Asked last night what he was going to do with his £70,000 prize, he replied: "Spend it."
