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INTERVIEW

Keep going, brother

JAMES HASTINGS talks to Big Brother winner and committed Christian Cameron Stout about faith, fame and his growing media career

You can just hear the cries of horror in the Channel 4 programme development room.

The commissioning editor has discovered one of the contestants in the next edition of the station's raunchy, flagship late night show - where talk is about sex and drugs and four-letter words abound - is a Christian.

The only salvation lies in the certainty that the non-smoking, non-drinking Christian who doesn't believe in sex before marriage will be quickly voted off by the viewers.

In fact, at the end of the programme's nine-week run, Cameron Stout, a 33-year-old Scottish Christian who's spent most of his life working as a fish merchant on a remote island most people have never even heard of, has become the nation's favourite Big Brother.

Not only that, Cameron, 33, recorded the highest ever viewers' vote, figures for the show reached an all-time high and Channel 4 secured columns and columns of media publicity it could only dream of.

Almost a year after he left the Big Brother house to the screams of thousands - and Davina McCall - Cameron Stout is still trying to assess what has happened to him.

"Since Big Brother, I've done everything from a wing-walk to a panto, opened a London motor show and spoken at Christian services," he says with understated amazement.

"In September, I'm touring with a play about The Covenanters and I'll be back in London soon to commentate on the next series of Big Brother which I'm really looking forward to. I'm lucky if I spend three days a week at home in Orkney."

Perhaps it was the constant ringing of his new agent's phone or the fact that most of Orkney (that strangly-shaped island stuck on the top of Scotland on TV weather reports) crowded the harbour when he arrived home after Big Brother, which persuaded Cameron to leave his former job as a fish merchant in Kirkwall, the island's capital.

He is now a regular on TV talk shows, speaks at business seminars and conferences and, of course, provides headline appearances at Christian events.

However, not everyone is pleased about the nation's newest TV celebrity. Cameron's consistently pleasant tone drops a key when he refers to criticism he has encountered - from Christians.

"Some Christians tell me I shouldn't have been involved with a reality TV show like Big Brother, let alone television," he says. "But you can't live your faith or your life in a holy huddle, only mixing and talking with others who share your beliefs.

"Secular society tends to regard Christians as weirdos anyway, people who go around chanting hymns. If we're truly Christian, then we should integrate with society and show them that we're ordinary folk. Of course, that is not the same as surrendering our beliefs, but we must integrate."

He says he still has "absolutely no idea" why he entered for Big Brother, especially as he rarely watches television.

However, he was thrilled to be selected as a contestant and would gladly do something similar again.

"When I told my parents I'd got on Big Brother, my dad said I'd be better off going to prison," he laughs. "I don't watch much TV but I was instantly attracted to the reality shows like Big Brother when they started. Many Christians don't like them, but I think they're living behind the times.

"This is what people are watching and what the media are writing about so I think there's a role for a Christian presence.

"Besides, I'm a social person, I love other people's company and Big Brother was so much fun."

Cameron was warmly applauded by hard-bitten, humanist columnists in papers as diverse as The Guardian and News of the World, for the candid way he explained and defended his views on sexual morality and drugs.

These are subjects which, based on his deep faith, he says he has always been comfortable speaking about, but the intimate atmosphere of Big Brother made such discussions even easier.

"People forget that when we're in the Big Brother house, we don't watch TV or see newspapers," he adds. "You soon forget millions of people are watching you. The atmosphere is very intimate and it just seems like you are over at your friend's house with a handful of pals chatting away.

"It was only when I re-emerged after the nine weeks that it suddenly dawned on me that we were part of a nationwide TV show.

"I met Billy Connolly at a function and he said he loves Big Brother but can't figure out why. He said you're just watching people washing dishes when there's a pile of dirty dishes in your own sink at home, but it's fascinating.

"I think one attraction is that reality TV is more real than soaps, because nothing is scripted - you react and interact in a completely natural way."

One of the main benefits Cameron says has resulted from his success, are the invitations he receives to speak at Christian services and events.

Recently, he was guest of honour at a Christian singles ball at Lord's Cricket ground in London. He has also spoken to congregations of all sizes and denominations across the country.

I asked if he regarded himself as a Christian media icon, a sort of Scottish Cliff Richard - a beacon of Gospel values in a media morass occupied by secular celebrity stars such as Jordan or even the Beckhams.

"Och, I don't know aboot that," he laughs in his lilting Orkney accent.
"Being on Big Brother hasn't changed me one bit. I'd say it has reinforced certain beliefs I already had, but I'm the same guy.

"Fame hasn't altered my views about life or my beliefs. I still find it funny a year on when someone asks for my autograph or to have their picture taken with me.

"If I can speak out on Christian issues then I'm happy to have the opportunity to do so, but there are plenty of others who are doing a similar job."

For someone with such a strong faith, it may surprise people to realise Cameron comes from a non-Christian household and was only baptised two years ago.

"I don't make swift decisions," he explains with a smile.

"Neither mum or dad are Christians but they sent me and my brother to the local Sunday School in Kirkwall.

"Maybe I was lucky that the minister and worshippers there were not stuffy old bores, but people of faith who made religion exciting and alive to us kids.

"I believe it is important to worship on a Sunday. I'm travelling a lot but I take time out to find a church. Duuring the panto season last year when I was working seven days, I made an effort to go to Sunday service.

"I think there are two things that we should regard as essential, Sunday worship and mid-week fellowship."

Cameron is especially looking forward to the play about the Scottish Covenanters in which he has a major role. It has its premiere this autumn in Edinburgh.

Called Blood Red, the story spans the Reformation in the Scottish Church and the struggles against the Catholic King, as well as the Church of Scotland.

After its Edinburgh premiere, Blood Red will go on a national tour, giving Cameron's fans, especially the female ones, plenty of opportunity to see him in person.

Asked if he is still the most famous single Christian in the country, Cameron immediately employs that favourite celebrity reply: "No comment."

He adds: "OK, I am still single but I hope that will change."
He says he would love to get married, but then says no more.

"I know you're not the News of the World, but you don't know who reads these things," he laughs. "I had a good time at the Christian Connection event at Lord's recently, but no I didn't meet anyone there although I got a lot of dances.

"Life is very busy for me and I'm taking it all in my stride at the moment. I'm really looking forward to Blood Red and any other TV offers that may come my way."

TV bosses and single ladies everywhere will be delighted with the news that Cameron Stout is still available.

James Hastings is a freelance journalist based in Glasgow

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		INTERVIEW Keep going, brother JAMES HASTINGS talks to Big Brother winner and committed Christian Cameron Stout about faith, fame and his growing media career You can just hear the cries of horror in the Channel 4 programme development room. The commissioning editor has discovered one of the contestants in the next edition of the station's raunchy, flagship late night show - where talk is about sex and drugs and four-letter words abound - is a Christian. The only salvation lies in the certainty that the non-smoking, non-drinking Christian who doesn't believe in sex before marriage will be quickly voted off by the viewers. In fact, at the end of the programme's nine-week run, Cameron Stout, a 33-year-old Scottish Christian who's spent most of his life working as a fish merchant on a remote island most people have never even heard of, has become the nation's favourite Big Brother. Not only that, Cameron, 33, recorded the highest ever viewers' vote, figures for the show reached an all-time high and Channel 4 secured columns and columns of media publicity it could only dream of. Almost a year after he left the Big Brother house to the screams of thousands - and Davina McCall - Cameron Stout is still trying to assess what has happened to him. "Since Big Brother, I've done everything from a wing-walk to a panto, opened a London motor show and spoken at Christian services," he says with understated amazement. "In September, I'm touring with a play about The Covenanters and I'll be back in London soon to commentate on the next series of Big Brother which I'm really looking forward to. I'm lucky if I spend three days a week at home in Orkney." Perhaps it was the constant ringing of his new agent's phone or the fact that most of Orkney (that strangly-shaped island stuck on the top of Scotland on TV weather reports) crowded the harbour when he arrived home after Big Brother, which persuaded Cameron to leave his former job as a fish merchant in Kirkwall, the island's capital. He is now a regular on TV talk shows, speaks at business seminars and conferences and, of course, provides headline appearances at Christian events. However, not everyone is pleased about the nation's newest TV celebrity. Cameron's consistently pleasant tone drops a key when he refers to criticism he has encountered - from Christians. "Some Christians tell me I shouldn't have been involved with a reality TV show like Big Brother, let alone television," he says. "But you can't live your faith or your life in a holy huddle, only mixing and talking with others who share your beliefs. "Secular society tends to regard Christians as weirdos anyway, people who go around chanting hymns. If we're truly Christian, then we should integrate with society and show them that we're ordinary folk. Of course, that is not the same as surrendering our beliefs, but we must integrate." He says he still has "absolutely no idea" why he entered for Big Brother, especially as he rarely watches television. However, he was thrilled to be selected as a contestant and would gladly do something similar again. "When I told my parents I'd got on Big Brother, my dad said I'd be better off going to prison," he laughs. "I don't watch much TV but I was instantly attracted to the reality shows like Big Brother when they started. Many Christians don't like them, but I think they're living behind the times. "This is what people are watching and what the media are writing about so I think there's a role for a Christian presence. "Besides, I'm a social person, I love other people's company and Big Brother was so much fun." Cameron was warmly applauded by hard-bitten, humanist columnists in papers as diverse as The Guardian and News of the World, for the candid way he explained and defended his views on sexual morality and drugs. These are subjects which, based on his deep faith, he says he has always been comfortable speaking about, but the intimate atmosphere of Big Brother made such discussions even easier. "People forget that when we're in the Big Brother house, we don't watch TV or see newspapers," he adds. "You soon forget millions of people are watching you. The atmosphere is very intimate and it just seems like you are over at your friend's house with a handful of pals chatting away. "It was only when I re-emerged after the nine weeks that it suddenly dawned on me that we were part of a nationwide TV show. "I met Billy Connolly at a function and he said he loves Big Brother but can't figure out why. He said you're just watching people washing dishes when there's a pile of dirty dishes in your own sink at home, but it's fascinating. "I think one attraction is that reality TV is more real than soaps, because nothing is scripted - you react and interact in a completely natural way." One of the main benefits Cameron says has resulted from his success, are the invitations he receives to speak at Christian services and events. Recently, he was guest of honour at a Christian singles ball at Lord's Cricket ground in London. He has also spoken to congregations of all sizes and denominations across the country. I asked if he regarded himself as a Christian media icon, a sort of Scottish Cliff Richard - a beacon of Gospel values in a media morass occupied by secular celebrity stars such as Jordan or even the Beckhams. "Och, I don't know aboot that," he laughs in his lilting Orkney accent. "Being on Big Brother hasn't changed me one bit. I'd say it has reinforced certain beliefs I already had, but I'm the same guy. "Fame hasn't altered my views about life or my beliefs. I still find it funny a year on when someone asks for my autograph or to have their picture taken with me. "If I can speak out on Christian issues then I'm happy to have the opportunity to do so, but there are plenty of others who are doing a similar job." For someone with such a strong faith, it may surprise people to realise Cameron comes from a non-Christian household and was only baptised two years ago. "I don't make swift decisions," he explains with a smile. "Neither mum or dad are Christians but they sent me and my brother to the local Sunday School in Kirkwall. "Maybe I was lucky that the minister and worshippers there were not stuffy old bores, but people of faith who made religion exciting and alive to us kids. "I believe it is important to worship on a Sunday. I'm travelling a lot but I take time out to find a church. Duuring the panto season last year when I was working seven days, I made an effort to go to Sunday service. "I think there are two things that we should regard as essential, Sunday worship and mid-week fellowship." Cameron is especially looking forward to the play about the Scottish Covenanters in which he has a major role. It has its premiere this autumn in Edinburgh. Called Blood Red, the story spans the Reformation in the Scottish Church and the struggles against the Catholic King, as well as the Church of Scotland. After its Edinburgh premiere, Blood Red will go on a national tour, giving Cameron's fans, especially the female ones, plenty of opportunity to see him in person. Asked if he is still the most famous single Christian in the country, Cameron immediately employs that favourite celebrity reply: "No comment." He adds: "OK, I am still single but I hope that will change." He says he would love to get married, but then says no more. "I know you're not the News of the World, but you don't know who reads these things," he laughs. "I had a good time at the Christian Connection event at Lord's recently, but no I didn't meet anyone there although I got a lot of dances. "Life is very busy for me and I'm taking it all in my stride at the moment. I'm really looking forward to Blood Red and any other TV offers that may come my way." TV bosses and single ladies everywhere will be delighted with the news that Cameron Stout is still available. James Hastings is a freelance journalist based in Glasgow © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.