Leicester born psychologist Ali Bromley talks about her massive Big Brother win, and the massive loss which made her sign up for the long running reality show.
When Ali Bromley signed up for Big Brother, she did so on a wild whim. ‘Why not?’ She asked herself when she filled in her details and sent them off to ITV. At 38, she’d just returned from an expedition to Everest Base Camp – a tough 12 day trek, which is not for the faint hearted… Then she came home and asked herself: ‘what’s next?’
This gutsy redhead is on a mission to make the most of her life – after all it’s too short, and she learned this two-years- ago in the most devastating way when her brother, Mike, took his own life. It is a heartbreaking loss which turned her world upside down, changing her perspective and prompting an undeniable shift in her attitude to life.
“I just wanted to make a commitment to live my life because my brother couldn’t. I thought maybe that was a good way to honour him,” she tells Pukaar.
“Two years ago I’d have never applied to be on a reality TV show. I’d have wanted to play things safe and sensible – thinking about my career and the future. But I had a really bad year last year [2023], where I didn’t really do too much, I was just kind of doing what I could to survive really.
“This year [2024] I was like; ‘I’m not going to feel better magically on my own, so I need to put as many things into my life as I can, and take opportunities that are fun again.’
“ I had rough times in the house. I obviously struggled at times with friendships and connections, but I also had a lot of laughter. Big brother is definitely up there with some of ”my wilder experiences shall we say!“
Ali was one of the stand out characters of the 21st series of Big Brother – making an impact with her bold, outspoken honesty and analysis of fellow housemates.
During her time in the house, she shared her experience of suicide loss, and also revealed that she was neurodivergent – more specifically ‘AuDHD.’ She educated the housemates (and as a consequence, the viewers) on the condition, which is a coexistence of both Autism and ADHD.
Picture credit: Ali Bromley Instagram
Ali also revealed that she was a lesbian – a move which earned her mass support from the queer community, and ultimately played a part in her becoming the first LGBTQ+ winner in the show’s 20 plus year history.
“I didn’t have a concrete plan to be so open or to educate the wider world on these subjects. I think in the moment my focus was on trying to build relationships and have people understand me.
“I didn’t necessarily anticipate the gravity of what I was talking about and how that would touch so many people, but I’m really glad about it because it’s not something that’s easy to be open about in the outside world,” she explains.
“I tend to ignore talking about my experiences of loss and AuDHD, because I just want to show people that I’m coping – that I’m alright and I’m doing my job, all those sorts of things. But actually it was quite liberating to have the pressures of the outside world taken away and just be able to say ‘this is who I am and this is what I’m living with.’”
Inside the house, Ali faced many challenges that come with having Autism and ADHD. She talks about the difficulty
of forming friendships and coping in such a stimulating environment.
She also talks about the danger of being misunderstood – a never-ending tightrope she walks.
“Sometimes I can look like I’m zoning out, or like I’m not paying attention and I didn’t want to come across as rude. So I wanted to be really open about who I am and what impacts my experience of relationships,” she says.
“There were times when I’d have to lie down on my bed, or escape into the smoking area when things got too much.
“I’m not sure that was always well understood in the house, but that’s not a criticism of other housemates,” she adds.
“I think it’s just a very stressful environment and it’s difficult to hold in mind the differences of each and every housemate when you’re in there.”
Ali now lives in London, where she works as a psychologist. As a result of her win, she scooped a £90,000 prize pot as well as a following of fans who call themselves ‘The Ali Cat Defenders.’
She plans to spend some of her prize money on a trip to Ibiza for herself and Lily – a fellow housemate who she befriended in the house.
As for the future, she is busy looking for new adventures, and ways to smile in 2025.
“I don’t have a plan at the moment, but knowing myself it probably won’t be too long before I’m up to something else that’s potential quite surprising to my friends and family!
“I’ve always tried to put opportunities for adventure into my life, especially since my brother died,” she reveals.
“It’s difficult to explain how a bereavement like that can impact those sorts of decisions. For me it was about taking every opportunity that life throws at you really, and seeing what happens – recognising that life is short.
“My brother was not really a reality TV fan. He’d have been very surprised that I signed up for the show, but he’d have found it hilarious!
“He would have been championing me all the way and I know he’d be proud.”
Follow Ali Bromley on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ali.bromley
By Louise Steel
