'Going on Big Brother is a story to tell my kids'

Earlier this year, 27 year-old Sarah Griffiths sent off an application to appear on ITV's popular quiz show, The Chase.

The spa account manager from Bayston Hill, Shropshire, then decided on a whim to also apply for Big Brother, which she had been a fan of for years.

She recorded a one-minute application video in her kitchen for the reality show and was amazed to receive a call from producers the very next day so, just like that, the game show application was forgotten.

"The Chase didn't want me, Bradley Walsh didn't want me, but Big Brother called me the next day," she laughed.

"You're more likely going to have your life changed by going viral on TikTok… now, reality TV isn't so life-changing, and if it was, I don't know if I would've done it.

"I thought, 'This is an opportunity to do one last crazy off-the-wall thing before I settle down', for lack of a better word."

Ms Griffiths grew up on a chicken farm, and is a member of the Rushbury and Cardington Young Farmers Club.

"The Shropshire lifestyle blew [the other contestants] away – barn dances, tractor runs, shuffles… they were looking at me like I had three heads," she laughed.

The 2024 season of the show got under way on 6 October and Ms Grrifiths survived for six weeks before becoming the ninth housemate to be eliminated.

"I remember having the best time laughing 24/7," she said.

However, she said a lack of sleep and the pressure of challenges had had an effect on her emotions.

"When you're in there, it feels so real," Ms Griffiths continued.

"All the emotions, every little fight, every word you overthink, feels like the end of the world."

After her eviction, she said comments on social media were difficult to handle.

"I should've taken more time to realise there's people that loved me before I went in, and there's people that are going to love me coming out," she said.

"I would see 10 amazing messages… and it takes one to be like: 'You're this, that, and the other,' and it just brings you down."

"Life is pretty much back to normal, I'm back at work which, for me, was always a non-negotiable," she said.

Ms Griffiths has since been offered opportunities to work with people through social media, which she said she would continue as a side hustle.

"I do go into my Sainsbury's or walk down the street and people do stop and say hello or ask for a picture," she said.

"I got to keep the bits that I love about my life – my job, my house… my partner. The way it's changed, I get the best of both worlds now.

"I do see my life being very very normal and having this as a story to tell my kids and grandkids: 'Do you know what, your mum was cool once?'"

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