Big Brother star reveals the surprising amount he was paid to go on the reality show
He is best known as one third of Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie show.
But Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald became a household name when he appeared on Channel 10’s Big Brother in 2004.
Speaking on his morning show Nova on Tuesday, Fitzy, 42, revealed how surprisingly much he was paid to take part in the then-controversial reality show.
The radio host debunked rumors that the cast made a lot of money during their time with the ratings giant.
“A lot of people thought we got paid a motza when we were on Big Brother,” Ryan revealed.
“It was $100 a day.”
While this may seem like a lot, even by 2004 standards, Ryan said he wasn’t upset by his salary, as he had few expenses during his reality show days.
“This is it,” Ryan added.
Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald, 42, has revealed how much he was surprisingly paid to appear on the 2004 series of Big Brother
‘I worked there for three months and you don’t spend that money on anything, so it’s a long time.
“It’s a big blow when you get out.”
Ryan, who finished fourth in the show’s fourth season behind winner Trevor Butler and runners-up Bree Amer and Paul Dyer, said there were a number of benefits in place to soften the blow of his meagre cash.
‘In 2004, when I was on Big Brother, I came fourth but I left the show with a Mitsubishi Lancer, a trip to New Caledonia and I think I got a TAG Heuer watch, which I have around here somewhere.’
Ryan’s co-host Michael “Wippa” Wipfli added that he thought the reality of the good salary had dried up significantly over the years.
“A lot of people thought we got a motza when we were on Big Brother,” Ryan revealed. “It was $100 a day.”
“I thought you used to get paid more,” he said.
“I would have thought that as the years went by and budgets got tighter, people would see the opportunities. And social media probably plays a big part in that. People think, well, you can build a big following.
‘So you don’t get a lot of money for the show, but you do get a lot of money afterwards.’
Ryan added that despite his bank balance, he didn’t regret his time on the reality show because it wasn’t as work-intensive as other series.
“Big Brother was the best because it was a show where you didn’t really have to do much,” he said.
‘In 2004, when I was on Big Brother, I finished fourth but I left the show with a Mitsubishi Lancer, a trip to New Caledonia, I think I got a TAG Heuer watch, which I have here somewhere,’ he added
“I’m talking about the reality shows like MasterChef and Survivor. The hard times you have to go through.”
Ryan’s admission follows an exclusive statement from a source to Ny Breaking Australia that the cast of Channel Seven reality series Made In Bondi were earning just $70 a day.
“The Made In Bondi cast’s salaries are more embarrassing than the show’s storylines,” the source confirmed.
“The core cast makes minimum wage, and I was told some actors made $70 a day.”
It was said that the parents of one of the actors were very concerned that the series would ruin their reputation as socialites. The low salary did not allay their fears.
“He would make more money as a busboy,” the source continued. “It’s not worth the risk of ruining the family’s reputation.”
Ryan added that despite his bank balance, he didn’t regret his time on the reality show because it wasn’t as work-intensive as other series. Ryan is pictured with his wife Belinda Irons and co-host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli