Starting with 16 participants six weeks ago, only six managed to survive the cutthroat competition to reach the show's climax.
Ali Bromley, Marcello Spooks, Emma Morgan, Hanah Haji, and Segun Shodipo dodged eviction left and right, but in the end, there can be only one victor.
The moment of truth arrived as Will and AJ excitedly announced the winner during the live final and were the first to welcome the exuberant housemate, £90,000 wealthier, as they emerged to rapturous applause, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a nail-biting finish, it was a head-to-head between Marcello and Ali, with the latter snatching the win.
Bewildered, hugging Marcello, Ali let out in astonishment: "Are you joking me?!"
Subsequently, chatting to the two presenters after her victory, she seemed utterly dumbfounded.
In the Late and Live show segment, Ali's past assertions were brought up by one presenter, who quizzed: "You've said that you've been proven right at every turn in the Big Brother house, so did you see this coming?"
To which she confessed: "No, absolutely not! I was ranked least likely to win I think within the house from the beginning."
Further expressing her surprise, she added, "I didn't think I'd win, I feel like I've made a few pretty good calls (within the house), maybe? But this one? No, I didn't call it at all."
The grand finale announcement was accompanied by the news from ITV chiefs that Big Brother is set to make a triumphant return for its third series in 2025. This will follow a second installment of Celebrity Big Brother slated for spring, commemorating a quarter of a century since Big Brother's UK debut.
Aspiring contestants can now throw their hat in the ring for next year's Big Brother as applications have officially opened. Those who reckon they've got the right stuff to conquer the pioneering reality challenge are invited to apply at BigBrother.com.
Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning and Acquisitions, expressed his delight over the programmes success: "Big Brother programming has firmly established itself across ITV's platforms and become a favourite with our viewers."
He continued to highlight the impact of both versions of the show: "Together, Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother have grown audiences on ITV1 and ITV2 and amassed almost 100 million streams on ITVX.
"We're therefore very excited to be able to throw open the House doors once again for another series of both Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother in 2025, which are sure to promise more unmissable entertaining and captivating moments."
Adding to the excitement, Katy Manley, Managing Director of Initial, shared: "We are so excited to be coming back with more Celebrity Big Brother and Big Brother. Both series have really resonated with audiences, and we can't wait to make more. As always, viewers can look forward to Big Brother keeping housemates - celebrities and civilians alike - on their toes."
Big Brother is available to watch on ITVX
