Being a Big Brother contestant was life-changing. But so was watching it | Jon Tickle

In exposing audiences to people who didn't look, sound or behave like them, the show had a positive effect on society

In the film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Bilbo asks Frodo: "Any chance of seeing that old ring of mine again? I should like to have held it one last time." Like the ring, Big Brother - which had its final episode last night - was a drug. Who wouldn't want more? But the adoration you get from being in the show isn't real; the safety and isolation of the House (it's always capitalised when I write about it) isn't permanent; free food and accommodation can't be provided forever. Eventually Stockholm syndrome must be left behind and one must return to reality.

Related: Farewell Big Brother, the show that changed the face of television | Philip Edgar-Jones