Brian Patrick Robert Dowling (born 13 June 1978) is an Irish television presenter. He rose to fame after winning the second series of reality series Big Brother, and went on to win Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. In 2007, he came third in Hell's Kitchen and in 2008, he was runner-up in the Irish reality television series Fáilte Towers. Dowling then guest-presented Live from Studio Five alongside Kate Walsh from 2010 until its cancellation in February 2011. On 22 July 2011, it was confirmed that Dowling would become the new host of Big Brother upon its transfer to Channel 5, replacing Davina McCall. After presenting two editions of Big Brother and four editions of Celebrity Big Brother, Channel 5 confirmed in April 2013 that Dowling was to be replaced by Emma Willis. Early life Dowling was born on 13 June 1978 in Rathangan, County Kildare, Ireland. Before he entered the public eye, he trained as a holiday rep and air steward, working as a flight attendant for Ryanair. He came out as gay to his parents two days before appearing in Big Brother in 2001. Big Brother Dowling was the winner of series 2 of Big Brother, beating Helen Adams in the final and polling 4,231,660 votes (58%) out of a total 7,255,094. In 2010, Brian returned to compete in the final Big Brother on Channel 4 and he became the Ultimate Big Brother Housemate. Brian spent a total of 82 days in the Big Brother house, 64 for his original stay and later 18 days for Ultimate Big Brother. Media career Dowling followed Big Brother by presenting SMTV Live, becoming the first openly gay children's television presenter. He also presented his own show on ITV, Brian's Boyfriends, as well as narrating the Channel 4 reality series The Salon. In 2002, Brian co-hosted the Elle Style Awards with BBC Radio 1 presenter Jo Whiley. In 2003, he joined Duncan James and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson in presenting the NOW Magazine Style Awards, where he also won the award for Most Stylish UK Personality. Dowling regularly stood in for Liz Bonnin on LivingTV's Celebrity Extra show in 2004. He has also voiced numerous adverts and TV series and has presented the companion show to I'm Famous and Frightened! In July 2005, Dowling fronted the Party in the Park concert in Leeds with Coronation Street'''s Nikki Sanderson. He then went on to front the