The Virgin Media presenter became famous after winning Big Brother in 2001 and feels he can give reality television one more crack – just not The Celebrity Traitors
The Salvage Squad presenter Brian Dowling
Brian Dowling admits he has one more reality TV show left in him – but is ruling out a major one.
The TV personality and presenter has been a mainstay on our screens since winning Big Brother in 2001.
And while these days he is better known for hosting shows rather than taking part in them, the dad of two doesn’t feel his reality TV journey is over just yet.
Brian told RSVP Magazine: “I think I’ve done everything I’ve wanted in my career, but I do believe there is one reality TV show left in me.
“I won Big Brother in 2001, Ultimate Big Brother in 2010, I did Dancing With The Stars in 2020… but I do think there is maybe one UK reality show left in me.”
The Traitors is one of the most popular TV shows at the moment, and the celebrity version, won by Traitor Alan Carr, was a ratings smash for BBC.
Brian is open to doing more TV but isn’t sure being a traitor or faithful would suit him.
“I’m not really sure I understand The Traitors,” he admitted.
“I think I’d mess the whole thing up and I’d probably be gone first.
“When Arthur and I shot our documentary about becoming parents, we were offered more, but at the time we said no.
“So I do think there is a reality show left in me, but I don’t know what it looks like right now.”
The Six O’Clock Show host added that making a cameo on a soap is on his bucket list.
“I’d love to be on a soap, more specifically on Emmerdale,” he gushed.
“I got the chance to meet some soap stars and interview them for Corriedale, and Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle, decided I could play a new character, Danny Dingle, because I have a beard and I’m Irish.
“I just want to throw a drink in someone’s face and slap them in a Christmas special. That’s the dream!”
Brian is an established presenter at this point in his career but admits he is still grafting.
“I’m a grafter no matter what,” he said.
“When I was on the radio and telly every single day, I was still picking up a corporate gig or a collaboration or hosting an event if I could.
“I don’t think being a grafter ever leaves you.
“I think if you are lucky to be in a situation where you can be selective, that’s the dream – also knowing what is for you, and what’s not for you, as opposed to being selective.”
Brian has had highs and lows in his TV career but now knows which projects are the right for him, such as The Six O’Clock Show and The Salvage Squad.
He added: “Sometimes you get approached for something and it might not be the right fit.
“There is some stuff that doesn’t work out, and then you put yourself forward for shows that you don’t get hired for.
“I suppose I’m lucky with the age I am that I’ve been doing it for such a long time now, Virgin Media knows what would and wouldn’t work for me.
“It has taken years of hard work trying to get to this place.
“I spent so many years in the UK working on some amazing shows and I also spent a lot of time working on shows I didn’t particularly enjoy, because I was doing it for either the profile or the money.”
Brian will never rest on his laurels and hopes his broadcasting career continues into his 50s and beyond.
He said: “I’ll be 50 in three years. Will I still be working in broadcasting?
“I don’t know, but for now I enjoy doing it and there’s not a day going by where I’m not grateful or I take it for granted.
“I won Big Brother 25 years ago and in that time I’ve messed up, I’ve made mistakes, but those things get you to the place you need to be.
“I think I’ll be working until I’m 70.”
Read the full interview with Brian in this month’s issue of RSVP Magazine, on shelves nationwide now.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.rsvplive.ie ’
