Former Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton has opened up on his mental health battle after the show and the fame that the programme brought him at the time. 

Anthony, winner of the 2005 season of the show and a passionate advocate of men’s mental health, is keen to share his experience of how hard the Big Brother comedown hit him and how he rebuilt himself as a successful barber and bar owner in Darlington. 

Mr Hutton, who is one of the most recognisable winners of the show, is taking part in an event at Arc in Stockton to talk about his time in the famous house.

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He said: “Big Brother was the first of its kind, we were almost like guinea pigs.

"We had no form of media training after we came out, so the extreme taste of fame we received was an excellent experience, but it brought a bad hangover when it left.

"I hope my story of recovery from mental health troubles might do someone in the audience some good.”

At the event, Anthony will join fellow Big Brother contestant Pete Bennett.

The pair will be interviewed by former Good Morning Britain Presenter and current national Broadcast Journalist, Rachel Sweeney.

Read next: Darlington Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton's advice over ITV show

Rachel said: “The TVIFF has chosen to recognise reality television because of the weight the show held in influencing television production in the UK.

"We only have shows like Love Island now because of the impact Big Brother had on audiences. It forever changed the way we make and watch TV.

"Anthony and Pete had a fascinating experience and I plan to ask them absolutely everything – from time in the house to facing the tabloid press. It will be the ultimate night for Big Brother fans.”

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The event is part of the Tees Valley International Film Festival, which takes place at Arc in Stockton from October 25 to 28. 

‘An Evening with Pete Bennett and Anthony Hutton – The Godfathers of Reality TV’ takes place on the opening night of the Tees Valley International Film Festival and is one of several celebrity events that make up the four-day celebration of film and TV. 

Festival Director Michael Luke said: “The aim of TVIFF is to kickstart a new generation of actor, writer and filmmaker in the Tees Valley.

"Success in those fields invariably brings fame and who better to prep our future Tees Valley stars for fame but two people who won Big Brother when the show was at the height of its popularity.”

The festival will culminate with its headline event “An Evening with Robson Green” in which the North East acting favourite will be interviewed onstage at Arc by Middlesbrough’s Bill Fellows, who currently plays Stu Carpenter in Coronation Street.