A former Celebrity Big Brother star has opened up about the mental impact the show had on him – as he said he was left ‘paranoid’ people were watching him behind mirrors

Celebrity Big Brother sees famous faces shut themselves away from the outside world for three weeks, giving up their privacy as cameras watch their every move. Now, one star has opened up about the impact the show had on him, weeks after leaving.

Last week, Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd took the crown in the second ITV series of the show. However, the show first aired in 2001 on Channel 4, before moving to Channel 5. Since the first ever series, hundreds of celebrities have walked through the doors. Now, H from Steps who starred in the show in 2007 has opened up about feeling paranoid after leaving the house.

“It does affect you mental health,” the star told The Sun, after stating that “the aftercare is better these days”.

“Because when you’re in there, in the night time people are watching you. And back then you could watch people sleeping 24 hours,” he continued. “I came out of there – and it was ridiculous because I know it wasn’t sane – but I would think people were watching me through mirrors for weeks afterwards.”

H then claimed that back then, there was no aftercare provided once you left the house. “You did it and you were left to fend for yourself,” he said.

The Steps star featured on the 2007 series, which gained worldwide coverage due to the racism controversy centred on comments made by Jade Goody and fellow housemates towards Shilpa Shetty, who eventually went on to win the series.

After the show, Jade apologised for offence caused by her comments, stating she understood how they appeared racist. Shilpa later told the media she forgave the star, although Ofcom ruled that the ruled that the channel had breached the Broadcasting Code.

This year, the show recieved a number of Ofcom complaints for Mickey Rourke’s homophobic comments towards JoJo Siwa before he was removed following “instances of unacceptable behaviour”.

The ITV show was hit with 1,010 Ofcom complaints for their episode which aired on April 9, in which Mickey said he “wanted to get the lesbian out”.

Later on, the Hollywood star revealed he “needed a fag,” as he made his way to the smoking area before pointing to JoJo and saying: “I’m not talking to you.”

Mickey was later called to the Diary Room and given a formal warning by Big Brother. Asked if he understood how his language could be offensive to housemates and the public, the star said: “Yeah I think so. If I was saying it in a nasty kind of way or if I truly meant it.

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