Big Brother fans have uncovered a link between one of the new housemates and a disgraced Tory MP.
Last night, 30-year-old Harry Symonds entered the ITV house alongside 15 other new housemates, all hoping to win over viewers and the sought-after £100,000 prize.
In true reality television style, it didn’t take long for viewers to do some digging into the contestants’ pasts, with a surprising connection between Harry and a former politician coming to light.
As a result, many have called for Harry to be evicted early doors.
The personal trainer from Croydon, who described himself as an ‘ex-police Bible basher’ and gay Christian in his audition, married Scott Benton in 2021.
Benton was elected MP for Blackpool South in the 2019 general election, a position he remained in until his resignation in March 2024.
![From Initial TV Big Brother: SR4 on ITV2 and ITVX Pictured: Harry. This photograph is (C) Initial and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Publicity. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Publicity. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SEI_312334924-cef6.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
In 2023, Benton became embroiled in a parliamentary lobbying scandal, which the Commons Standards Committee concluded was an ‘extremely serious breach’ of the rules and ‘communicated a toxic message about standards in parliament’.
He was recommended for a 35-day suspension after being found to have offered to lobby ministers and table parliamentary questions on behalf of gambling investors.
His actions were exposed by undercover reporters for The Times, posing as representatives of a fake investment fund.
He claimed he was able to ‘call in favours’ from colleagues and ‘get easy access’ to ministers.
Benton returned to the political scene earlier this year when he joined Restore Britain, a far-right party led by Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe.
Restore Britain has been labelled as even further right on the political spectrum than Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, campaigning for strict border controls, mass deportation, the repealing of online safety laws, strong ‘free speech’ protections, and Britain as a Christian country.
Benton became a campaign manager for Restore Britain during the Makerfield by-election campaign, with reports also claiming he previously sought to join Reform UK, but he was allegedly rejected.
While pictures with Harry remain on the ex-MP’s social media from 2025, it’s unclear whether they are still married.
However, in his introductory Q&A, Harry said he lives on his own, adding that he was looking forward to ‘a break from real life’. Should he win, he wants to ‘invest in a house or something’.
Harry said he ‘thrives on meeting new people’ and was excited for ‘the experience’.
Upon learning of Harry’s relationship history, BB fans took to X with so-called proof of Benton’s political views, as he had links to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, an anti-abortion group which campaigned against same-sex marriage.
Benton later said he was no longer linked to SPUC, and while he supported their anti-abortion stance, he was for same-sex marriage. In the past, he has also voiced support for the death penalty in certain scenarios.
While Harry has yet to air his own political beliefs in the Big Brother House, one viewer shared a screenshot of a post Harry made in the Facebook group Gay Conservatives GOP & Allies for a better America.
Under his married name, Harry Benton-Symonds, he thanked the US-based community for accepting him, writing: ‘I’m a huge supporter of the Republican movement and conservative values in the USA.’
‘oh get him OUT’, wrote @daydreamcine, while @CosmicMalex_ agreed Harry must be ‘out first’.
Others did defend Harry’s casting, though, explaining that Big Brother is a ‘social experiment’; hence, people from all walks of life are cast.
@brynbrnl argued that Big Brother is ‘a show that isolates a diverse group of people in a house to see how relationships, friendships, and conflicts form under pressure’, while @abigail37879615 said people are ‘allowed to have different opinions’.
The programme is certainly no stranger to a politically charged debate, offensive comment, or strong language.
Last series, George Gilbert was removed from the House due to ‘repeated use of unacceptable language and behaviour’, much of which could not be broadcast. He often provoked backlash for contentious remarks on social and political issues.
The series before also saw Nathan King voice his support for Farage and debate politics with fellow housemates.
ITV has been contacted for comment.
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.