Big Brother UK viewers are just realising why they recognise Philip

Fans of Big Brother UK have barely had time to meet the new housemates, but some are already having a major realisation about one contestant - Philip Regan.

The latest series of the reality show returned on Sunday night (13 September), bringing a fresh batch of faces to our screens, and it seems one of them was rather more familiar to viewers than they first realised.

Philip, 53, is a content creator from Liverpool. He had already built a substantial following on social media, where his larger-than-life personality and videos have made him a recognisable figure, particularly among audiences in the North West of England.

One fan posted happily following the revelation: “Wait apparently Phillip is already like kind of well known I’m gagged!”

‘The Queen of Scotty Road’

Philip is known online as ‘The Queen of Scotty Road’ after being born and raised around Scotland Road in Liverpool.

Rising to fame on TikTok over the last few years, viewers have been sharing some of his iconic clips online.

Another fan wrote excitedly: “OH I AM GAGGED I AM FLOORED.”

A third pointed out: “Phillip with a big social media presence.”

While someone else shared their lightbulb moment, writing: “AS IF THIS IS PHILLIP IM CRYING.”

Viewers expect to meet strangers when a new series begins, only to discover that, in the age of TikTok, Instagram and viral videos, some contestants already have their own audiences waiting outside the house.

One local added: “Half of Liverpool was gagged when he was announced, actually.”

The question now is whether the Philip people know from social media will be the same Philip they see living under the famously unforgiving Big Brother cameras.

According to Radio Times, the star has said he’s keen to leave the OTT character behind.

“I’m going to go in as the Queen of Scotty Road, but I’m going to come out as Philip Regan,” he said.

He confessed he first thought about applying for Big Brother a few years ago but was too busy.

“There will never be a dull moment when I’m there,” he added.

“I’ll always put a smile on everyone’s faces,” he insisted.

“If I see anyone unhappy, no matter what, I’ll be there for them – whether I like them or not. You’re better being a friend to me than an enemy,” Philip warned. “I’m a very good friend, but I’m a very bad enemy.”

If he won, he said he’d ‘give some money to the charities I regularly work with, I would see them OK, and some very close friends’, before adding: “The rest, I would use to enjoy myself.”

Philip isn't the only social media star to enter the house, with Bov Boys' Tays also making an appearance on the show.

However, the 23-year-old - whose real name is Michael Taylor - has been given an undercover role as Big Brother's mole so fans will have to wait and see how this plays out...

The new series launched on ITV2 and ITVX, with AJ Odudu and Will Best returning to host, with ITV promising viewers ‘ambitious tasks, high-stakes nominations and dramatic live evictions’.

The pair have become the faces of the modern version of the programme since Big Brother was revived on ITV in 2023, and the latest run is set to last eight weeks.