Stephen Bear was announced the winner of the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother on Friday evening, this despite being eternally nominated and facing eviction twice a week during his time in the house.
And, of course, he won against the odds, as he was known for his loud and irritating behaviour while in the house – the very reason he was chosen by his housemates to be eternally nominated in the first place.
Stephen Bear (Ian West/PA Wire/PA Images)
The 26-year-old from Walthamstow beat EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood, who came second, to the prestigious title after a month in the Channel 5 lock-up.
During his time in the house, he was seen becoming incredibly intimate with fellow housemate Chloe Khan, causing complaints to media watchdog Ofcom from viewers.
Bear has also been at the centre of bullying complaints, and recent days have seen Channel 5 accused of “fixing” the show after it chose not to air some incidents involving him, including scenes of him injuring Samantha Fox’s eye during a prank.
*Pointing at word winner*
"Look, that's me!" @stephen_bear 😂 #CBB— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) August 26, 2016
He made further headlines when his girlfriend Lillie Lexie Gregg entered the Celebrity Big Brother house and broke up with him over his fling with Chloe.
So, although he was voted the winner by the public, there were a lot of not-so-happy customers out there on Twitter after his victorious release from the house.
Some people “lost faith” in the public.
Just lost all faith in the British public. Absolute classless scumbag won & the gentleman just lost out, disgraceful. Bear is the pits #CBB
— Luisa Zissman (@TheLuluLife) August 26, 2016
I have lost all faith in the British public. a complete scumbag won absolutely disgraceful. Bear is Vile #CBB
— ♔Bennie Denton♔ (@benniedenton) August 26, 2016
@bbuk @stephen_bear lost all faith in humankind if this is the sort of person people think is a worthy winner!!
— Karen Brown (@kazsam92) August 26, 2016
Bear actually won #CBB, lost all faith in humanity #prayfortheworld
— Jessica Rowe (@GB13Jess) August 26, 2016
Others couldn’t understand it, for a number of reasons…
Bear just won CBB 😅 how did that happen? #CBB #Bear #CBBBear #CBBwinner2016
— Rebecca (@BeccaLKenny) August 27, 2016
Why did people vote for bear haha? Any man that disrespects his girlfriend like that needs to be put straight in the bin.
— 2CHINZz (@2chiinzzz) August 26, 2016
I can't help but to think how naive the public is, DON'T THEY KNOW WHAT THEY WERE WATCHING?!?! #CBBFinal #Bear
— The Next Big Thing (@BrotherNerosBro) August 26, 2016
Just caught up on the #CBBFinal – can't believe how fixed this programme has become. #Bear didn't deserve it & no way is he a role model
— Tasha (@tashaellen_) August 26, 2016
What a fixed shambles @bbuk was last night. #bear should not have won. How can a manipulating bully be crowned the winner?!
— Rach (@hoyland_rachel) August 27, 2016
Some have pledged to not watch the show again.
I'm glad he won just made me realise I hate the show and never watch again #Bear
— justin (@chisholmjustin) August 26, 2016
Don't usually watch Big Brother. Watched this season and I will never watch it again. #bear winning is an absolute joke #CelebrityBigBrother
— Melissa Alston (@Mel_Alston) August 26, 2016
Plenty of people cringed during his exit interview with host Emma Willis after she told him to “shut up”…
Is this the worst interview you have ever seen??? #cbb #bear feel for a Emma big time! Hardest interviewee of all time
— James Green (@JamesGreenInUK) August 26, 2016
#CBB #emmawillis well done holding that interview #bear and pancakes most obnoxious winner ever 👎
— Linda Perkins (@lindaperkins121) August 26, 2016
Worse interview ever!!! #bear #cbb #rickyshouldhavewon
— Kelly Broadway (@kellymb32) August 26, 2016
Bears interview though 😂🐻 #CBB #bear #hilarious
— Debbie Pratt (@DebbiePx) August 26, 2016
While some just needed to vent.
Ugh raging! Absolutely hate #bear damn u voting public #CBB Renee should of won 🐻🐻
— MichaelaHayes iRadio (@MichaelaKHayes) August 26, 2016
Nooo…. Why has that nasty bully won??? We shouldn't be advocating that behaviour #bigbrother2016 #bear #nastypieceofwork #shameontheuk
— Charmaine Hanley (@00Charmizzle00) August 26, 2016
Disgusted #Bear won #CBB . Bullies shouldn't be winners. Hated his behaviour.
— Sinead Hennessy (@sineadhen) August 26, 2016
I kind of feel bad for Lillie Lexie Gregg right now. She must feel so angry. #cbbfinal #bear #cbb
— Insomnibrat (@insomnibrat) August 26, 2016
However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom as there were plenty of people who loved Bear and found him “hilarious”.
Bear won CBB, you lad! Made my night! #CBB #Bear
— Ronnie Burden (@ronstaburden) August 27, 2016
Sooo happy that @stephen_bear won @cbb Such a legend! Been screaming #ruthless all night!!! 😂 Made the series! #lovehim #bear #cbb #winner
— becky (@bex_08starz) August 26, 2016
The genius known as #bear OWNED #CBB ! Truly a worthy winner. A bright new star is born! Can't wait for his next move. At home w the bears?
— Basil Simon (@BasilSimonUK) August 27, 2016
Yay!! Well done Bear! Kept me entertained anyway 😂 👍👏👏#Bear #CBB
— lynsey moore (@lynseymoore1) August 26, 2016
— Humphrey&BarneyOTRB (@humph_barnz) August 26, 2016
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