We knew when we sat down with Big Brother star Farida Khalifa she would paint a picture of the chaos going on inside the house right now. So naturally, one of our first questions was: what on earth is going on between Big Brother 2025 housemates Caroline Monk and Richard Storry?
Their dynamic is complicated, to say the least. At times, it’s like watching a teenage sister torment her baby brother. Other moments, it feels more like divorced parents trying to co-parent from opposite ends of the country. But last week, things took a darker turn when fans and housemates alike began accusing ‘game player Caroline’ of bullying Richard. She’s certainly had it in for him since day one, but her behaviour seemed to escalate, seemingly turning things deeply personal.
And yet, this week, the tension has mysteriously melted away, replaced by laughter and what looks suspiciously like banter. So, what’s really going on?
In an exclusive interview with heatworld, Farida set the record straight. She insists that all the drama fans have been dissecting is nothing more than ‘all just banter’ between Caroline and Richard. Farida emphasised that Richard ‘does not feel bullied’ by Caroline, describing their interactions as more of a ‘pantomime’ – a performance, not genuine conflict.
She recalled a telling moment from a recent dinner date, when Elsa Rae asked Richard if he felt bullied by Caroline. His response? ‘It’s just a game. I’m playing the game.’ According to Farida, both Caroline and Richard have been open about their shared goal: they both want to win, and they’re simply playing Big Brother strategically. Their rivalry is simply a calculated part of their gameplans.
Farida also pointed out that she and Caroline – ‘being mature adults’ – quickly recognised Richard’s clever gameplay. In fact, they predicted his rise to become a ‘national treasure of the UK.’
She shared how Caroline has joked about Richard avoiding her, noting his sometimes secretive chats with the microphone, as if he’s whispering to a producer.
It’s worth noting, though, that if Farida were asked to pick a side in this feud, she’d almost certainly side with Caroline, whom she described as ‘the nicest, kindest, fun, full of banter. We’re a bit like a mirror reflection of each other.’
So, is the Caroline-Richard saga genuine animosity or just a masterclass in strategic gameplay? According to Farida, it’s the latter. We’re not convinced.
Farida first entered the Big Brother house in 2023, quickly making a memorable impression despite being the first evictee on day 7. Her brief stint was marked by a notable feud with housemate Kerry Riches.
Farida returned to the house for this year’s series as part of a ‘fake eviction’ twist, re-entering alongside Emily Hewertson, before being evicted on Friday 31 October 2025 alongside Zelah Glasson.