Alison Hammond has become something of a national treasure thanks to her outrageous interviews and hilarious TV gaffes.
But before fame she was in thousands of pounds of debt and only entered Big Brother to earn some money.
The 44-year-old said she never thought she was kick-starting a career when she walked into the house in 2002, but for all the things it gave her she is most grateful that it helped her pay off the £4,000 she owed.
She told Mirror Online: "I was spending too much money financing my car, so I had this debt.
"I just wanted to win some money really, to pay off the debts that I had. That was the reason I went in, it was never a springboard to launch the career that I've had.
"It's unbelievable to think about what's happened to me.
"It was massive back in the day, to be £4,000 in debt that was major.
"I was living at home. It's a horrible feeling when you owe money. I don't like it at all."
Since she left the house she's worked on This Morning as a showbiz reporter, had roles on TV and even appeared in Hollywood film Hotel Transylvania 3 .
But the reality TV legend says she doesn't let her success go to her head.
She continued: "I don't really buy into it if I'm honest, but I just hope people are happy when they watch me, if it gives them relief and it gives them pleasure.
"I do get a lot of letters from a lot of people saying they love watching me and how much it picks them up during the day.
"I don't take it lightly what I do."
Alison is supporting the Fnancial Conduct Authority's PPI deadline campaign, urging the public to take action and make a decision before the deadline on August 29 2019.
