John wins Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack!

An aspiring Scottish politician has won the latest version of the Big Brother reality TV show, earning himself a £55,000 prize.

John Loughton, 20, from Edinburgh was declared the winner of Channel 4's Big Brother Celebrity Hijack last night, narrowly pipping Emilia Arata, from Birmingham to second place.

The show had been forced to drastically change its format after last year's controversy whereby contestant Jade Goody was accused of racially bullying Shilpa Shetty.

Unlike previous years, the housemates were not comprised of celebrities but instead made up of young people aged 18-21 who all had a distinct talent that they were hoping to pursue as a career.

Various well-known TV presenters, actors and comedians took it in turns to be the voice of Big Brother telling the housemates to carry out set tasks.

This year's show has not pulled in the usually high ratings. When the first episode aired earlier this month, 3.4 million viewers tuned in - compared to the 7.1 million of last year's Celebrity Big Brother.

The series was mainly screened on the digital channel E4 whereas in previous years Big Brother has usually had a prime-time Channel 4 slot.

Loughton, chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament, became the early favourite to win after passing a secret task set by comedian Matt Lucas in the first week.

He was directed through a hidden earpiece to do whatever Lucas ordered including claiming he was a psychic, a boxer, a musician and the author of The Sound Of Music score. He passed the task and as a result guaranteed himself a place in the final.

Second placed Emilia Arata is a circus performer and roller skating contortionist who carries out a double act with her brother Victor, who was also on the show.

Amy Jackson, 21, from Leeds, a conceptual artist, came third with 21.9 per cent of the vote and Anthony Ogogo, 19, a boxer, from Lowestoft, was fourth with 21.6 per cent.

Via telegraph.co.uk