Big Brother finalist Catrin Richards 'disappointed' as health battle is left unaired and fans make important point
Catrin Richards has revealed she's 'disappointed' after discovering a huge part of her experience in the Big Brother house was never shown to viewers.
The 23-year-old, who finished sixth in the 2026 series of the ITV reality show after making it all the way to the final, has opened up about her battle with Crohn's disease and colitis since leaving the show.
Taking to her Instagram Story on Monday (9 Nov), Richards explained that she had hoped to use her time on the programme to raise awareness of the conditions, and was heartbroken to discover that no conversations about her health were included in the footage.
"I was really disappointed coming out and seeing that nothing about me talking about my condition was aired," the Welsh reality TV star wrote in the caption of her video.
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Richards went on to explain that her health had taken a turn during her last week on TV, when she was unable to receive her usual infusion treatment.
"I was quite unwell in the last week but wasn’t able to get my infusion, the housemates were amazing with me and helped me so much when I physically couldn’t do anything for myself," she continued.
The ITV star added that she had always wanted to use the platform to help others understand what living with the conditions can be like.
"I just really wished they’d shown more of me talking about it, all I’ve ever wanted to do is raise more awareness around Crohn’s and colitis but for some reason it was never shown," she went on to explain.
Crohn's disease and colitis are inflammatory bowel conditions which can have a significant impact on someone's everyday life.
Both can involve painful symptoms and periods of flare-ups, making awareness and understanding particularly important.
And Richards' comments have got Big Brother fans talking, with viewers questioning why such an important part of her experience could have possibly been left out of the final edit.
One of the biggest points raised by fans is just how much viewers could be missing when it comes to the housemates' lives outside the drama shown in the nightly episodes.
Some viewers have questioned why conversations about Richards' health weren't included, particularly given that she had hoped to use her television appearance to educate people about Crohn's and colitis.
Others have pointed towards the show's limited live coverage, suggesting that more live feed would allow audiences to see the quieter, more personal conversations that don't always make the main episodes.
And Richards isn't the only housemate whose personal experiences have prompted questions about what viewers actually get to see.
Fellow late arrival Twinks Burnett previously opened up about her artificial teeth, following a traumatic injury which left a gap in her smile. However, viewers also missed conversations surrounding that part of her story.
It's sparked a wider discussion about the editing process and whether Big Brother is giving audiences a full picture of the people living together in the house.
After all, while arguments, nominations and dramatic confrontations might make for entertaining television, it's often the more personal moments that help viewers connect with the housemates.
Richards, a teaching assistant from Aberdare in Wales, entered the competition alongside Twinks as a late arrival following Johanne Cade's eviction.
Before entering, she told Capital that she wanted to bring 'entertainment' and 'a bit of Valleys charm' to the house.
"I think I’ll be able to bring fun vibes. Because right now there’s drama, and there’s peace," she added. "There’s nothing in the middle – fun, loud – there’s none of that."
Meanwhile, Big Brother winner Rochelle Rackham has been reflecting on her unexpected victory after taking home the £100,000 prize last week.
The 57-year-old Essex mum beat Twinks in a particularly close final, with just 1.3 per cent of the public vote separating the pair.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Monday, Rackham revealed that she had actually wanted to apply for The Traitors rather than Big Brother, having never even watched the ITV reality show before entering.
Explaining how her application came about, she said: "I actually wanted to go on The Traitors because I thought, ‘Oh, I’d love that. That’s a bit of me’."
She also admitted that life inside the house had been far more challenging than she anticipated, revealing she had begged producers to let her leave on four occasions.
But while Rackham has been adjusting to life outside the house as this year's winner, Richards' revelation has left fans questioning just how much of the housemates' real experiences they actually got to see.
Topics: Big Brother, Reality TV, ITV, Channel 4, Health
Rhianna Benson
