Big Brother UK's Kate Lawler became the first female winner of Big Brother in 2002, making television history. Now, twenty-two years later, she has returned to the franchise to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The Beckenham native recently appeared on Big Brother: Late & Live, with presenters Will Best and AJ Odudu, to reflect on her historic triumph and life after leaving the house. Lawler was just 21 when she quit her investment bank job to enter the competition.That decision completely transformed her trajectory, launching careers in TV, radio, and podcasting. She also met her husband through opportunities that followed her win. This year's final has six new contestants: Cameron, Elsa, Emily, Jenny, Richard, and Tate, all battling for £100,000.Big Brother UK's Lawler has seen the concept grow while keeping its primary attraction. Big Brother confines strangers in a house under continual supervision, putting relationships and personalities to the test. Each week, the public votes to determine who remains and who goes. For Lawler, returning to the show's environment seemed "surreal," with memories flooding back as soon as she walked inside the studio.What did Big Brother UK star Kate Lawler reveal about being on the show? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostLawler still laughs about the day she ditched a steady banking path for reality TV on Big Brother UK, a move she says completely rerouted her life. She had been working in IT and secretly loved the chaos of the trading floor, but one leap into a TV house changed everything. Looking back, she still finds it wild that a single choice sent her spinning into a whole new career, one packed with surprises she never saw coming.Her Big Brother UK win opened doors across the media, from presenting gigs to creative projects. Each job taught her something different, and she picked up lessons from the smooth moments and the messy ones. She doesn’t carry regrets; she carries a long list of experiences that shaped her.Reality TV, though, is nothing like what she stepped into years ago. Back then, it felt like a giant social experiment full of awkward chats and unplanned drama. Now the genre comes in every shape imaginable, from glossy competitions to quirky lifestyle hybrids. She still thinks the best shows can entertain and even encourage people when they’re handled well.Mental health support has also taken a huge step forward. She’s glad the industry now understands how intense the experience can be and offers more protection for contestants. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostOffscreen, her life is full. Lawler married Martin Bojtos in 2022, and they have a five-year-old daughter, Noa, plus two dogs always underfoot. She recently teamed up with Wagamama for the launch of their kids’ build-your-own bento boxes, a partnership that fits neatly into her family routine. Noa happily eats there, which makes mealtimes at least a tiny bit easier.Parenting still keeps her on her toes. Noa might be a curious little foodie one day and a total fuss-machine the next. The bento box setup helps soften the chaos by letting kids mix new dishes with their usual favorites, giving them confidence without turning dinner into a showdown.Lawler has written about these ups and downs in her book Maybe Baby? On the Motherhood Spectrum, she opened up about her early fears around parenting and her experience with postnatal depression. She wishes she’d known how common those struggles were and admits that mom guilt, the kind that pops up about work, relationships, or even finding five quiet minutes, still tries to sneak in. But she’s learning, slowly, to let some of it go.What comes next? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSeveral projects are being developed behind the scenes. Big Brother UK's Lawler maintains her ITV competitions work on This Morning and Loose Women. Her podcast with Bojtos, Boj & Kate Have A Lot On Their Plate, has a busy 2026 planned. Personal goals focus on wellness."I'd love to stress less, and prioritise exercise and self care more," she said.Her 2026 vision centers on contentment:"It will be about enjoying the little things and saying yes to what truly makes me happy."Big Brother UK airs live on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.