The final eviction notice was handed out and Big Brother UK has crowned a new winner.
Following a tense finale episode of the ITV reality competition, Richard Storry, a composer and author from South London, won season 22 of the long-running reality competition series Nov. 14.
The 60-year-old—who became the oldest winner of Big Brother UK—beat out Elsa Rae and Jenny Baird and, since there was no major “cash bomb” throughout the season, he will take home the grand prize of £100,000 (roughly $131,600 USD).
“Big Brother team, it has been an absolute pleasure and delight,” Richard said as he exited the house. “Good night, and thank you!”
In addition to Richard’s historic win, this season featured a different kind of victory for his housemates. Indeed, first runner-up Elsa sparked a romance with fellow contestant Marcus John, who even expressed his love for her during the season.
"Things with Elsa couldn't be any better,” the 22-year-old said during the Nov. 9 episode. “I think she just knows that I've got a lot of love for her. And I was reluctant to use that word. But that's where we're at—that's where I'm at anyway."
During the same episode, Marcus referred to Elsa as his “best friend” and “future wife” interchangeably.
“Whatever you want to call her,” he said. “It's a gray area right now, because I want to ask Elsa to be my girlfriend when I take her out on a date outside of here. And ‘future wife’? That goes without saying.”
Since being evicted, Marcus—who placed eighth on the season—has revealed ideas for “loads of different dates” that he and Elsa came up with together while in the house.
“Trips to the zoo. Cinema date—she loves the cinema, there will be definitely a trip to the cinema,” he said in a Nov. 13 interview on the Big Brother UK TikTok. “We've had a lot of time to talk about it and we've got a lot of plans.”
Plus, he gushed about his feelings for Elsa, adding, “She's the purest soul, and she's beautiful the outside as she is on the inside. So, I can't wait to see her tomorrow.”
Like Marcus and Elsa, many celebs have found love while competing on a reality competition show—including JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes on last season’s Celebrity Big Brother UK. For the latest on their romance, click here.