The winner of "Promi Big Brother", Werner Hansch, speaks in an interview with spot on news about his debts and his record victory.
In the finale of "Promi Big Brother" on Sat.1, reporter legend Werner Hansch (82) proved that you are never too old for a challenge. According to the broadcaster, his victory on "PBB" makes him the world's oldest winner of a reality show. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the 82-year-old talks about his record victory and how he wants to use the prize money of 100,000 euros to pay off his debts that he had accumulated due to a gambling addiction that he suffered from for a long time. He does not want to take "a single euro of this money".
Congratulations on winning "Celebrity Big Brother"! How do you feel after the show?
Werner Hansch: I'm a little tired, you can imagine. The night was short and dry.
According to Sat.1, you are the oldest winner of a reality show worldwide. Does that make you proud in a way?
Hansch: Worldwide, that's unbelievable. That I would ever achieve something like this. It is of course nice for me that I was physically able to meet these sometimes relatively tough requirements. It makes me feel good. As I said yesterday: I want to show people who are, so to speak, in the third phase of life that they should apply to "Big Brother" more often if they are still reasonably fit and have something to say. You can still win in old age, as I was able to prove.
Almost all of the candidates wanted you to win. Did you think you would win?
Hansch: No, I never expected it for a moment. I didn't think about it. I wanted and hoped to win – that's always the case when you enter a sporting competition. At the beginning, however, there were a lot of unanswered questions, for example how I would manage to keep up with the sometimes much younger candidates. And whether I would be able to establish an inner relationship with these people. I could only imagine that very vaguely. It was an adventure that I embarked on and that I'm glad I passed through.
How high is "Celebrity Big Brother" on the list of unusual things you've experienced so far?
Hansch: That's right at the front for me, very clearly. You know the connection with my illness. That was a big part of why I ended up here in the first place. In the end, it is a little relief for me that with this success I can largely straighten out my addiction path, which I left behind in the form of debt. I will not take a single euro from this money. Everything is already planned in advance, with a lawyer and tax advice. An escrow account is trying to settle all of my debts with this money. That is my goal. I've always refused to take refuge in bankruptcy, which would have been the easier option. But I never wanted that.
When Rainer Calmund visited you in the container for your birthday, you seemed very touched. He has assured you of his support. How much does that mean to you?
Hansch: Of course that means a lot to me. I had already received very nice congratulations via video, including from Axel Schulz, Christoph Daum, Ingo Anderbrügge and Julius Brink. Then Reiner Calmund came as a surprise guest. I have had several years of joint football activities with him. I know he has a very big heart. He offered me help, and I'm incredibly grateful for that. But I cannot value the emotional support he gave me through his visit highly enough.
When it became clear that you had won, words were lacking at first. How did you feel in that moment?
Hansch: I had to go on this small stage, a microphone was held in front of my mouth and I couldn't speak against these fireworks. Then it became clear to me again: I cannot triumph in situations like this – and in this case especially not. If someone comes from where I was, on the ground, he mustn't triumph out loud. For me that would be a humiliation of all the other participants who dropped out before me. I had to avoid this at all costs. I also had to thank a few people – first and foremost my management and a few other people who helped and stood by me during the worst part of my crisis.
The runner-up, Mischa Mayer, campaigned for the audience to call for you. How much did it affect you?
Hansch: At that moment I didn't even notice because I was back in the fairytale castle. But then it was reported to me. This is of course great cinema and I once again expressed my gratitude very clearly. Who does that anyway? The Misha was also very emotional. He hadn't expected to finish second and had firmly assumed that he would be the first of the remaining group of four to be eliminated. He didn't expect that it would come to this. This call to vote for me was huge. It shows me once again what respect and sympathy he has developed for me over this entire time. An absolute man of honor!
Will you keep in touch with some of the candidates?
Hansch: I think so. We are all committed to it, but you know for yourself that life goes on. You have to see how that develops. If the opportunity arises, I'm sure to be ready – by phone if you like. For example, if someone needs help or advice, as I offered little Emmy. She's going to need some advice, this pretty, blond, young woman. She will surely get some offers and inquiries and should be careful that she goes the right way. There is much more to it than what it was partially presented in the PBB house. I keep my fingers crossed for her.