UK Edition
Feeds
You and Rebecca are still together as a couple. How on earth has it lasted the test of time?
"I think the public are just God damn cynical, to be honest. We've put two fingers up at the doubters, that's how I see it. A lot of people, and I mean a lot of people, have come up to me and said 'You two only got together for the magazine deals'. Well you know what? We've been there, done the magazine deals, and we're still together. It will be a year in August. Some people didn't think we'd last ten minutes, let alone a year."
What's been the highlight of your last 12 months?
"I've had a lot of highlights, to be honest. The Daily Star flew us to Las Vegas for a fake wedding photoshoot and we were put up in a penthouse in Planet Hollywood. That was amazing and a once in a lifetime opportunity. We presented a concert for Children In Need and I've done loads of TV work like 8 Out Of 10 Cats. And to be honest, one of the biggest highlights was meeting Ulrika Jonsson on the BB Quiz a couple of weeks ago, because I grew up watching Ulrika on Gladiators. When I found out I was paired up with her, I was like, 'Wow!' A lot of people said to me beforehand that she was a diva, but to be honest, I found her - other than Davina McCall - to be the nicest celebrity that I have met."
You seemed to enjoy most of your time in the house. Do you have any regrets?
"Most of the time it was an amazing experience. A lot of people come off BB and say 'Reality TV has ruined my life - it's an abomination'. But frankly, no it hasn't! What you said and did on that show may have ruined your life, but Big Brother didn't force you to say something or go in the house. Big Brother is something that will live with me forever and I still feel quite privileged to have been chosen. Despite what people say about ratings, I still beat 20,000 people plus to get on that show."
Do you stand by your comments that Rachel was putting on an act to win the show?
"Definitely! You know what? Kudos to Rachel. She watched eight years of that show, studied it and decided if she went on and won, she could pay her student loan off. I saw her at the audition stage, so I've always sounded like a crank mouthing off about her, but I saw Rachel on that first day and that wasn't the same girl who lived inside the house. She had a gameplan, won the game and got the cheque. Fair play to her, she beat me and the rest of the housemates. I can't really criticise her for that."
Would you go back in the house for the 10th anniversary or a special edition of the show?
"There's been loads of rumours about it for some while now, this idea of an 'Allstars Big Brother'. But personally, I don't think it would work that well over a full series, as the old housemates know how to play the game. However, maybe instead of a Celebrity Big Brother next year they should do three weeks with former housemates. Most of the old housemates are so desperate they won't need paying very much. I suppose I've just described myself as 'desperate' if I did accept, but I probably would do it. Just for the chance to go in with all the old housemates. The possibility of me being in there with Nikki Grahame - well, I think I'd pay to watch that!"
What are you hoping to do career-wise over the next few years?
"Currently now, we're doing a column in Star magazine, which is a nice little summer earner, but it's also looking quite promising that we'll get our own radio show. Fingers crossed for that really, because I'd love my own radio chat show. Other than that, I'm just waiting for Jeremy Kyle to retire, so I can have his show. I've just bought his book actually and I love the fact that one of the chapters is called 'Get A Job'. Even better than that, there's another one called 'Put Something On The End Of It'. The guy's a legend! I've literally bought the book today and can't wait to read it in bed tonight. Forget Rebecca, I've got Jeremy Kyle."
Thanks a lot for your time Luke!
"It's no problem at all. I look forward to the hate comments starting on the forums. If I was Prime Minister, I would shut that forum down. No disrespect to Digital Spy."
But what would all the Luke and Rebecca fans in the appreciation threads do without it?
"Actually, you're right. The people in that appreciation thread actually sent me and Rebecca a scrapbook that they had made and laminated. They've put together a folder of photos - and you won't believe this, but they wrote a prayer about me! They packaged up DVDs from the live stream featuring us both too. I'm telling you, they are dedicated! It's terrifying, but it's nice that they've done that. Someone, somewhere's gone to a lot of trouble."
