Big Brother housemate Charlotte has shed light on her first entrance into the House on Sunday, and how she felt after deciding to remove her prosthetic legs.
Fans had been left shocked at an apparent lack of accessibility during the launch show, which left the 18-year-old student from Oxford – who lost her hands and feet to meningitis at age three – struggling to walk up the stairs.
Charlotte was due to enter the House, like the other 15 housemates, by being escorted from a car to the stage. However, she lost her shoe seconds after being introduced to the studio audience.
While host Will Best rushed over and managed to put her stiletto back on, disaster struck again when she tried to walk up the stairs, and Charlotte ended up instructing him on how to remove her prosthetic legs while the camera cut away to those already inside.
In a video diary entry to Big Brother shared on Instagram last night, the teenager explained she’d been dealing with a broken heel while also confirming that she has her ‘legs off all the time’ when at home.
‘I got out of the car and my heel broke,’ she revealed.
‘It was just typical. Maybe it was my fate to walk in with no legs. Maybe that was just what was meant to happen.’
She continued: ‘When I’m at home, I have my legs off all the time. When I’m cooking, I have my legs off.
‘I like to be four foot. I like to be tiny, like a little tiny doll.’
‘Charlotte handled that heel break like a boss,’ the caption read, with fans already declaring their love and admiration for her thanks to her direct approach.
‘LOVE her,’ commented 2025 Big Brother finalist Emily Hewertson, while Lily Beck added: ‘She’s an icon and definitely an inspiration.’
‘My heart when her heel came off, but she totally owned it,’ shared Nataliya Hux.
‘This young young lady is my favourite already. I’ve watched every season of Big Brother since the very beginning when Craig won,’ wrote Craig Ramkin. ‘To get out of that car the way she did and show the world this is me – I hope she wins.’
Charlotte had taken the hitch in good spirits on Sunday, simply declaring, ‘My legs! My shoe came off. I’m so sorry, I had to take my legs off,’ with co-host AJ Odudu reasuring her she had ‘nothing to apologise for’.
‘I’m in the Big Brother House with no legs!’ Charlotte then shouted as she entered, immediately explaining the mishap to her new housemates.
While many were initially horrified to see Charlotte struggle with her entrance, sharing their disappointment and anger online, a Big Brother spokesperson confirmed that they had consulted with both her and an access co-ordinator to best understand her needs before the show.
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A statement sent to Metro read: ‘Prior to Charlotte’s entrance to the House, we worked closely with her and a specialist access co-ordinator to understand her access requirements and agree, with her, the arrangements for her entrance and time in the House.
‘A plan was put in place based on those discussions and agreed with Charlotte; however, she had an unforeseen issue with her shoe.’
Metro understands that Charlotte was also offered the use of a ramp, but she said that she would prefer to use the stairs. Changes have also been made to the House to ensure it meets her accessibility requirements.
Since the reality show’s ITV revival in 2023, several disabled contestants have taken part, including Kerry Riches, who lives with multiple sclerosis, and amputee footballer Thomas Atkinson.
Charlotte’s competition for the £100,000 prize this series includes 29-year-old social worker Chelsey, teacher Yasmin, also 29, and 53-year-old content creator Philip from Liverpool.
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.