Big Brother Switzerland produces first female winner

Daniela is the first woman to take the Big Brother prize Keystone

The first series of the voyeuristic television game show, "Big Brother", has ended in Switzerland, with the contestant Daniela named as the winner. It's the first time a woman has won the competition, which is staged around the world.

The tense final round of the game was broadcast on Sunday to an audience of around 600,000 people. It saw Daniela beat off competition from her only remaining rival, Conny, to pocket the SFr150,000 ($89,000) prize money.

It was an emotional occasion for Daniela, a single mother from canton Aargau, who celebrated her 30th birthday on the same day. It also marked the end of 105 days of voluntary imprisonment in a trailer.

Daniela was one of 10 contestants – five men and five women – who spent up to three and a half months cooped up together for the entertainment of the public.

Television cameras recorded their every move 24 hours a day. Only the toilets were exempt from scrutiny.

Viewers were able to watch a daily summary of the activities in the living container. Every two weeks they had the opportunity to vote to expel one of the candidates.

Eventually the competition was whittled down to just Daniela and Conny. After a vote, Conny was eliminated, but she didn’t go away empty-handed, getting to keep the show’s cat, Filou.

“Big Brother Switzerland” has been a huge success for the private broadcaster TV3. The show has helped it achieve a large audience share in German-speaking Switzerland.

Fans of the show won’t have to wait long for more action. TV3 plans another series of “Big Brother” from January.

swissinfo with agencies

http://www.bigbrother.ch/