EXCLUSIVE: Big Brother winner Chad Hurst reveals the REAL reason there was no romantic embrace with Sophie Budack at the live finale
Despite being inseparable in the house, Big Brother couple Chad Hurst and Sophie Budack appeared somewhat distant during Wednesday’s live finale.
And winner Chad has now revealed the real reason why there wasn’t a loved-up reunion between the TV lovebirds on stage.
The 27-year-old model told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that the contestants had been instructed to limit physical contact on stage as a safety precaution.
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Big Brother EXCLUSIVE: Winner Chad Hurst (right) has revealed the REAL reason there was no romantic embrace with Sophie Budack (left) on stage at Wednesday’s live finale
‘We were all told not to touch each other because of coronavirus,’ he said.
In addition to social distancing among the housemates, Seven also made everyone involved in production get health checks before the finale.
While Chad did what he was told and avoided hugging Sophie on camera, the other contestants weren’t so cautious and flocked towards him.
‘We were all told not to touch each other’: Chad said the housemates were asked to adhere to COVID-19 safety measures while filming the show
Chad said that his victory took him by surprise and he didn’t have time to process what was going on as his co-stars rushed towards him.
‘The adrenaline is running and you don’t know what’s going on,’ he said.
‘We were all told not to touch each other, but Shane [Vincent] coming over was not my fault.’
No firework finish? Chad gave Sophie a brief kiss and a hug after his winner announcement
Earlier in the episode, Chad and Sophie had dodged host Sonia Kruger’s awkward questions about their relationship status.
At one stage, they both squirmed when she asked if they’d ‘done it yet.
Interestingly, Sophie wasn’t exactly jumping for joy when her boyfriend was crowned the winner of Big Brother.
Chad only gave her a brief kiss and a hug after the announcement, and she seemed to keep her distance on stage while he enjoyed his moment of glory.
Distant lovers? Sophie was third from left on the stage when Chad (third from right, with his mother) spoke to host Sonia (far right) about how much winning meant to him
Hmm! When asked what he was going to spend the prize money on, Chad revealed he would go on a boys’ trip and pay off his mother’s bills – but he didn’t reference Sophie at all
Just for the cameras? The pair later posed for a series of happy photos together, with Sophie planting a kiss on Chad’s cheek
When asked what he was going to spend the prize money on, Chad revealed he would go on a boys’ trip and pay off his mother’s bills – but he didn’t reference Sophie at all.
He had previously promised he would split the prize money 50-50 with his girlfriend, but made no mention of this deal during the live broadcast.
The pair later posed for a series of happy photos together, with Sophie planting a friendly kiss on Chad’s cheek.
Sophie and Chad appear to still be on good terms regardless of whether they’re still an item, as they celebrated with each other at the after-party.
Winner! Chad is now $230,000 richer after securing the majority of Australia’s 700,000 votes to be crowned the victor of Big Brother Australia 2020