GenQ - For the not so straight individual

It was the perfect moment for competing television networks to battle against the hit reality TV phenomenon Big Brother. After all, over the last six years it has reinvigorated the 7pm timeslot and shattered the Sunday nights ?Channel 9 tradition?.

I guess that's why back in 2001, Channel 9 fought Network TEN for the rights of Big Brother. And almost got it too.

But last night, it all got dirty when major TV nightly news bulletins suggested everything from a ?Big Brother publicity stunt? to ?Immoral television?. Channel 9 even played the entire incident to their viewers of ?A Current Affair?, but this morning we do not hear any politicians complaining about this.

Yesterday Network TEN were slammed for having it broadcast via the Big Brother website free camera service.

Michael Bric (John) and Michael Cox (Ashley) met with Gretel Killeen in a special interview at 9.45pm last night. It was felt by Network TEN to address the alleged incident in full detail and give the two men their own forum to respond to the media.

Here's what happened:

Gretel: Ok, Camilla said 'just mucking around'. Ashley, do you agree with Camilla?

Ashley: Very much so. It was just a practical joke and Camilla knew this and we were just mucking around having a good time and obviously we didn't intend on hurting Camilla in any way and obviously she has been [a] little bit hurt. And yeah, it was just a practical joke.

Gretel: What are your thoughts John?

John: That's right. I think we only ever intended to have a bit of fun with Camilla and the rest of the house. There was never any intention to hurt Camilla in this at all. It was purely mucking around.

Gretel: So how did this situation actually come about?

John: I think it's more the result of just being so comfortable with certain individuals. I mean I have lived with Camilla for 70 days, Ash as well, you get to a level of trust and a certain level of comfort with certain individuals and often this level of comfort can turn practical jokes that can often breach the rules and this is one example of it.

Gretel: Yeah, is that what you're thinking Ashley?

Ashley: Pretty much so. I don't think...maybe we didn't read Camilla properly, and we couldn't tell if she was a bit uncomfortable at the time. We just thought it was a practical joke and everyone was laughing.

Gretel: Ok, so how do feel about the situation now?

Ashley: Obviously mixed emotions, a lot of regret and remorse for what has happened. You know we never wanted to hurt Camilla in any way and we have so much respect for Camilla, especially living with her for 70 days and we understand what Camilla is all about and we are so sorry.

Gretel: How are you feeling?

John: Exactly the same. Look, I mean if I could turn back time I definitely wouldn't do [what I did]. It's ended my Big Brother experience and obviously it's put a sour note on my whole entire journey throughout the 70 days. It's unfortunate because you know I've slept in the same bed as Camilla, I've been intimate with Camilla...

Gretel: In a conversational sense?

John: Yeah, in a conversational sense, you know we are very close and it's unfortunate that it had to end this way because it was never intended to be any breach of the rules or to hurt individuals, especially Camilla.

Gretel: Well it's more than two days now since you were taken out of the house, so I would imagine that there was a lot of soul searching that's been going on over this time. What else have you been up to - have you spoken to your family?

Ashley: Yeah, I have spoken to Mum a fair bit. I've also spoken to friends and I've seen obviously the Sunday eviction. I saw the Sunday show and I saw how it all works and I also saw the tabloids and what's been said about us.

Gretel: How did you feel about that?

Ashley: I don't think it's true what they've been saying, I think they got it a bit mixed up as they haven't seen the footage. And yeah, I think it's just a massive mix-up and we are just so sorry about it all.

Gretel: So you must have gone through the whole cycle of emotions is that what happened with you John?

John: Yeah that is definitely right, I think it was a massive shock to wake up and read what was on the headlines and read what was said about me and Ash, in particular - you know saying stuff that is so not what we are - we are good blokes and we really do treat women with respect and this is just an incident that has been blown out of proportion, way out of proportion.

Gretel: So you had a couple of days to go through this whole thought process and emotional process I would imagine as well. Are you glad that you didn't just go straight out into society to deal with all of this? Are you glad you had this little island these last few days?

Ashley: Yeah definitely, being in lockdown as such, it gave us 48 hours to prepare ourselves to go to the public eyes and see how people view us and I had John with me the whole time and we comforted each other. We had access to telephones. Yeah it was just a learning curve for us.

John: Yeah, I mean obviously I would have liked to put a stop to what the media saying earlier, but I think you know obviously having calmed down a bit and relaxed a bit it prepares us too speak a couple of days afterwards, although it's a shame that the media jumped on the negative side too quickly.

Gretel: How are you feeling, you know what's been happening in the big wide world, you are about to re-enter it? Well Ash, how are you feeling about that?

Ashley: Mixed emotions, definitely, I don't know what to expect, I am really looking forward to seeing my Mum and seeing my friends.

Gretel: She must have missed you, 'cause you live with Mum, support her, the whole bit, she's ok?

Ash: Definitely, she's doing alright, she's had no one for the last what 70-something-days, she had no-one so I can't wait to go there and support her and, yeah, I just really miss her a lot and I can't wait to see her.

Gretel: So you both need a hug?

Ashley: Yeah definitely.

Gretel: And what about you (John), how are you feeling?

John: Yeah, like Ash said mixed emotions I suppose. I'm really excited to get out there and see my friends and family and watch some sport I suppose and catch up on all the World Cup. It would be great but obviously there is a negative side to it as well trying to convince the people out there that this is only an intended joke, that has been taken out of proportion and we really are good people, and it's a shame that it had to end this way. But I look forward to seeing everyone, definitely.

Gretel: Well new chapter, new beginning. Thanks guys, thanks to you both. Thanks to John and Ashley for sharing such an emotional situation with us, we understand that the nation will discuss this situation but we believe it to be vital that those opinions are informed. Thank you.