Channel Ten has responded to online backlash surrounding a brutal challenge that left one contestant weeping on Monday night’s episode. During the episode, Michael was asked to rate his fellow housemates from most intelligent to least intelligent.
Big Brother promised that if he ranked them in the same order as the Australian public ranked them, the housemates would earn $50 towards their weekly shopping budget. The awkward challenge culminated in aspiring MMA fighter Colin being placed last.
While Colin initially seemed to take the harsh ranking in good humour, he later withdrew from the group and broke down in tears – first hiding in the bathroom, then retreating to the diary room.
The heartbreaking footage sparked uproar online, with fans slamming the franchise for allowing the 21-year-old to be reduced to such a vulnerable state.
When approached for comment, a spokesperson for Ten defended the inclusion of the challenge, which appeared in the network’s original Big Brother franchise.
‘House tasks have been a mainstay of Big Brother since its beginning and are played in formats all across the globe,’ they said.
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‘Big Brother is known as the original social experiment for a reason – the show puts housemates in situations that spark conversation and emotion, reveal social dynamics and help build resolutions and relationships.’
‘Featuring beats from the OG format, like the ranking task, is yet another way Big Brother is returning to the show’s iconic roots in 2025.’
They also made it clear that Big Brother had actually consoled Colin after his breakdown, providing footage of the heartfelt moment.
Following the ranking task, Big Brother shared some moving words in the diary room.
‘Colin, intelligence can be perceived and interpreted in many different ways. Big Brother wants you to believe in yourself. Never doubt yourself and don’t ever think you’re not good enough. Big Brother thinks you’re pretty great.
Big Brother even signed off with Colin’s iconic catchphrase, ‘Bruh’.
Aside from building Colin back up emotionally, Big Brother also provided him with a consolation prize for the ranking challenge.
He awarded Colin 30 seconds in Big Brother’s Bargain Basement – a move that made Colin a hero among his housemates as he retrieved armfuls of coveted possessions, including underwear and dental kits.
Big Brother even gave Colin a ‘digital fist bump’, before Colin took the haul back to his overjoyed housemates.
