Big Brother’s most controversial housemate, Michael Downs, became the first to be evicted in last night’s episode. But it turns out he had another reality TV opportunity lined up — he was reportedly in talks to join MAFS 2026 as an intruder.
According to Daily Mail Australia, the 47-year-old was set to be cast on the series. However, producers ultimately backed out after Michael refused to compromise, and they weren’t willing to manufacture an incompatible match purely for drama. In the end, they pulled the pin and told him they’d circle back for a another suitable series.
However, in an exclusive interview with Chattr he clarified that he never officially made it on the season.
“I never really got onto MAFS. You know, I kind of got through that process, and then that rolled into, yeah, going in and chatting to producers and auditioning for Big Brother, which I thought was a much better fit for me.”
Michael told Chattr that MAFS never felt right for him. As a dad of three, the idea of being pushed into an instant relationship didn’t sit well, and Big Brother felt like a much more natural fit.
“You know, having three kids on the outside, in the outside, I kind of was always worried about being thrown into bed with some woman I didn’t know, and how that looks when you got young kids. So Big Brother was a much, much better fit for me. So it all worked out in the end for the best.”
Was Michael concerned about jeopardising his career by going on Big Brother
Michael, CEO of Nuclear Media — the publishing company behind titles like the recently republished FHM Magazine, Women’s Fitness, and It Girl — said he was never worried about how he’d be perceived in the Big Brother house or whether it might impact his career.
“In a word, no. I never feel it. I never, ever feel any need to filter anything I say, You know what? When I was 19, maybe even 29 I felt those needs. At 49 I am who I am. I’m not going to change. And everybody knows who I am.”
While Michael wasn’t concerned, he told Chattr his family certainly was.
“My friends and family, they were all concerned. Well, the few I could tell, especially my oldest daughter, was concerned when I was, you know, cast on Big Brother, but mate, I think I was a pretty tame version of my real self in there.
Michael has already rubbed many viewers and fellow contestants the wrong way in just his first week in the Big Brother house.
In Tuesday’s episode, a discussion between Michael, Bruce, and Mia about whether one parent should take on childbearing responsibilities while the other worked quickly escalated into a broader debate about gender roles. Mia tried to help both men understand that gender inequality still exists in 2025, however the boys wouldn’t budge on their views.
“I don’t have a whole lot of conviction in what I say. A lot of what I say is just to shit stir at the end of that, even with people like Mia or whatever, we all got along so well.
I don’t know how it played out to the outside world, but we were actually really close and good buddies in there. You know, as soon as those conversations ended.”
Big Brother Australia 2025 airs Monday to Friday at 7.30pm, and Sundays at 7pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.
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