£100,000 is heading to Rochelle Rackham after the British public voted her the winner of Big Brother UK 2026. The Essex housemate finished ahead of runner-up Twinks in the ITV2 reality show's Season 23 final on Thursday, 5 November. Her victory capped a series filled with surprise evictions, celebrity guests and changing weekly challenges.
What Sparked the Controversy
The central talking point ahead of the final was the increasingly close competition between Rochelle and Lucinda 'Twinks' Burnett. Bookmakers had placed Twinks as the favourite, but Rochelle's odds had been shortening as the competition approached its conclusion.
According to The Scotsman, Twinks was priced at 4/6 before the final, while Rochelle stood at 6/5. The gap suggested that the competition was far from settled, despite Twinks having held the favourite position for much of her time in the house.
The series had also attracted attention through its weekly themes, which included Chaos, Double Trouble, House of Nothing, House of Revelations, House of Power, House of Time, House of Horror and House of Mystery. Celebrity visitors Jedward, Gemma Collins and Tiffany 'New York' Pollard added further surprises.
What Is Confirmed
Rochelle was officially crowned the winner after the public vote on Thursday night. Deadline confirmed that she secured first place and the full £100,000 cash prize, while Twinks finished second.
The final rankings were:
- 1st place: Rochelle Rackham
- 2nd place: Twinks (Lucinda Burnett)
- 3rd place: Yasmin
- 4th place: Samuel Keen
- 5th place: Lynx
- 6th place: Catrin
The result followed a dramatic final week. Omar El Mayer and Frankie Taber were evicted during a surprise double eviction on the penultimate episode, leaving the remaining contestants to compete for the public's support on finale night.
Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best explained how the final voting process would work. Voting opened and then froze before the next housemate's departure was announced. It subsequently reopened, allowing viewers to cast five additional votes on top of those already submitted.
The final contestants also shared one last dinner and took turns explaining what they appreciated about one another, providing an emotional moment before the winner announcement. Deadline's full Big Brother UK 2026 final report confirms Rochelle's victory.
What Each Side Has Said
The public vote ultimately decided the result, putting Rochelle ahead of the housemates who had entered the final as contenders for the prize. Twinks had been the bookmakers' leading candidate, but the betting predictions did not reflect the final voting outcome.
The Scotsman's pre-finale coverage identified Rochelle as Twinks' closest challenger, noting that her odds had been falling. That competitive position became significant when the public selected Rochelle as the eventual winner.
AJ Odudu and Will Best hosted the finale and guided viewers through the voting process and final announcements. The result established Rochelle as the latest winner of the revived ITV-era Big Brother competition.
What Is Still Unclear
Although Rochelle's victory and prize money have been confirmed, the supplied reports do not disclose the final voting percentages or the number of votes received by each contestant. There is also no confirmed breakdown showing how far Rochelle finished ahead of Twinks.
The precise financial arrangements beyond the announced £100,000 prize have not been detailed in the available coverage. Claims about individual voting totals or the size of the winning margin should therefore be treated cautiously.
Another question concerns the contestants' experiences after leaving the house. The reunion is expected to provide an opportunity for the former housemates to discuss unresolved disagreements and events from the series, but specific revelations have not been confirmed in advance.
What Happens Next
Big Brother UK viewers have another opportunity to see the contestants together on Friday, 6 November. According to Capital UK, the reunion episode will air on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm, finishing at 10.05pm.
AJ Odudu and Will Best will host the special, which is expected to feature revelations, unfinished business and further discussion of the series. However, Capital reports that celebrity house guests Jedward, Gemma Collins and Tiffany Pollard are not expected to appear.
For British viewers who followed the competition over eight weeks, the reunion provides a chance to revisit the relationships, arguments and unexpected moments that shaped the season. Rochelle's win has settled the main question, but the contestants' conversations outside the house could provide a different perspective on what happened during the competition.
Read Capital's Big Brother reunion schedule for the broadcast details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Big Brother UK 2026?
Rochelle Rackham won Big Brother UK 2026 after receiving the public's vote in the Season 23 final on 5 November. She finished ahead of runner-up Twinks.
How much did Rochelle win on Big Brother 2026?
Rochelle received the competition's £100,000 cash prize. The amount was confirmed in Deadline's report following the finale.
Who came second in Big Brother UK 2026?
Twinks, whose full name is Lucinda Burnett, finished in second place. She had been the bookmakers' favourite before the live final.
Who were the Big Brother UK 2026 finalists?
The final six were Rochelle, Twinks, Yasmin, Samuel, Lynx and Catrin. They finished in that order from first to sixth place.
When is the Big Brother UK 2026 reunion?
The reunion airs on Friday, 6 November 2026, on ITV2 and ITVX. The programme is scheduled to run from 9pm until 10.05pm.
Who presents Big Brother UK 2026?
AJ Odudu and Will Best hosted the 2026 finale. They are also scheduled to present the reunion episode.