Overview

• Ian ‘H’ Watkins revealed that his 2007 Celebrity Big Brother experience left him paranoid and mentally strained due to a lack of aftercare.
• He described feeling as though people were watching him through mirrors for weeks after leaving the show, calling the experience mentally taxing.
• Watkins highlighted the absence of psychological support during his time, noting that contestants were left to 'fend for themselves' post-show.
• He contrasted this with ITV’s 2021 duty of care reforms, which include pre-filming assessments, mental health professionals, and up to 14 months of aftercare.
• Watkins believes that today’s protocols would likely prevent controversies like the 2007 racism row involving Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty.