Anthony, Makosi, Derek and Craig will be the last four Big Brother housemates, predicts former winner turned DJ Kate Lawler, but whether or not her predictions still hold true when this magazine lands on your doorstep, she will be watching. She gave HEATHER RAMSDEN the lowdown on the latest series

The reality TV star, who has always lived in Beckenham even after she became the first woman winner in 2002, has been watching the new series closely, partly for fun, but also for her weekly column for New! magazine.

But what surprises Kate the most about the latest group of housemates is what appears to be the underlying reason many of them enter.

With housemates now lining up agents and talking about magazine deals, girl nextdoor Kate admits, "I love Big Brother, but it has changed so much."

"When I went into Big Brother, I did it because it looked like fun, not because of what I could get out of it."

"I fully expected to go back to my banking job on Liverpool Street, I didn't even know what an agent was."

In fact working in her banking job is exactly where Kate believes she would still be had she not entered the Big Brother house a few years ago.

"I doubt I'd still be doing IT, probably trading or something, but yeah I think I would still be there.

"Sometimes I even actually think it would be nice just to have a nine-to-five job," she laughs.

When Kate walked out of the house as the winner in 2002, pocketing the £70,000 prize she stepped into what she still describes as "the best time of my life".

"It's a world of photoshoots, magazine deals, guest appearances and premier attendances. For two weeks, it's just non stop. I remember it all so well."

Her success in the show was a launchpad for her television and radio careers and she has since become one of the most successful Big Brother contestants to date.

Her career successes have included a stint presenting Channel 4's RI:SE, a Capital Radio show, starring in ITV's Celebrity Wrestling in which she earned herself a place in the semi finals and presenting Party in the Park.

But of all her jobs, Kate says she is most at home on radio.

"You can just be yourself, no-one is looking at you and you can go in looking dog rough and no-one knows."

Most recently she has begun writing a column for New! Magazine, part of which she devotes to the antics of the Big Brother housemates.

"It's my first column and I love it, I actually do write it myself as well," she insists, though dabbling in journalism will not entice her into taking up the career full time.

"I feel so sorry for journalists, they have far too much pressure for my liking," she admits.

In her column, Kate talks about what she thinks of the Big Brother housemates, of whom Geordie Anthony is her clear favourite. This she admits is because he reminds her of Geordie pal and ex-housemate Johnny from the year she won.

"I really want Anthony to win but I think Derek, who is really funny, and Makosi are threats.

"I think the last four in order should be Craig, Derek, Makosi and then Anthony. Skeletor (Orlaith) won't last, Kemal used to be fabulous but he's just paranoid and Science just cannot win ... if he does I will just go mental."

Kate says she is not sure if any of the housemates will end up being really hated but is bemused by the level of booing in this year's show.

"Everybody gets booed, it's just so comedic, it's like they are just booing for the fun of it."

Kate received one hate mail letter after her victory but this was outnumbered by thousands of fan mail letters.

"It's the risk you take when you enter Big Brother. Strangely enough the only two places I ever get any grief from the public are at home in Beckenham and in Bromley. Don't ask me why but that's the way it is."

"I think you have to think carefully about entering Big Brother now, because you need to be prepared to face the backlash and if you can't handle public criticism you'll battle."

But strength of character might not be the thing to win you a spot in the next Big Brother show.

Kate says, "Who knows what will get you in to the show? With me, apparently it was my kickie uppies'.

"All I had was a 10-second clip of me in the garden kicking the football up in the air and one of the Big Brother chiefs wanted me in the show just on the strength of that short clip.

But what does the future hold for the former winner?

She hints at something in the pipeline on TV and something on radio but won't elaborate any further.

Personally she has split up with footballer Johnathan Woodgate who moved to Real Madrid and is now single again.

One thing she can't stop talking about however is her latest quest to turn an enjoyable pastime into a job by becoming a DJ.

"I am taking lessens from some professional DJs at the moment and I hope to be DJing at West End clubs by the end of the year and in Ibiza next year.

So, three years after she became the first female winner of Big Brother, the 25-year-old is now looking forward to a career which she says has "more longevity than TV".

She's quite determined so don't be surprised to see Kate DJing at your favourite club.