Evicted Big Brother contestant Ben Zabel is out to start a new phase of his life Adorable and show favourite Ben from Big Brother is the latest to exit the house party. Courtesy: Big Brother, Nine Network Evicted Big Brother contestant Ben Zabel with host Sonia Kruger. EVICTED Big Brother contestant Ben Zabel reckons it might be time to hang up the pyjamas. The 30-year-old, from Queensland, is out to start a new, more exciting phase of his life, after appearing on the Channel 9 reality show. The gay former flight attendant admits that he led an insular, hermit-like existence before his time in the Big Brother house. Ben says he lacked confidence and would shun social contact. He would wear designated daytime pyjamas around his apartment all day with another set for sleeping at night. He is currently unemployed. Spending nearly three months living with housemates including Tim, Tahan, Mikkayla, Ed and Drew has changed his mindset. Ben describes his time in the Big Brother house as "mental health boot camp" and says appearing on the show is the first step in the reinvention of his life. "I've suffered with general anxiety issues and depression (in the past) and that has inhibited me from branching out and trying new experiences," Ben says. I've said no to a lot more things than I've said yes to. I've restricted myself socially and when you do that the phone doesn't ring as much and you don't meet new people. I think having said yes to this (Big Brother) experience and to see all the positive things it has brought me make me feel more inclined to say yes I'll go there or yes I'll do that. I'd never tried a croissant before (being in the Big Brother house) and I never went to the beach because I thought I'd just get sunburnt. I'm not a germ-o-phobe but I've always been very finicky and there wasn't an opportunity to be fussy like that in the house. I found that when I stopped all those habits of mine, guess what, I didn't die or get sick. I was OK. The pyjamas very much represent the fact that I spend a lot of time hiding away at home. They are very comfortable and comforting to me. I need to get a job, I need money bad, and I need to buy some clothes. I do have to go clothes shopping but I'm going to have to go to a factory outlet. Ben says he was boosted by the rapturous reception of the Big Brother studio audience last night. He received a standing ovation. Twitter also exploded after the eviction. "I am so shocked Ben got evicted," "Big Brother, I'll give you Jade, Mikkayla, Boog, Madaline and even Ed in exchange for Ben" and "I've instantly lost interest" were some of the tweets. "It (viewer response) has really touched my heart," Ben says. That crowd last night - to say they were supportive was an understatement. I felt a lot of love there. A fortnight ago, Ben got a lot of support from TV legends Bert and Patti Newton with the pair telling him they thought he had a bright future on television. "That was like getting a blessing from the pope," Ben says. All I know is how to have a chat with people. I don't know what I'll do but it will have to involve talking. Ben says that Tim is pick to win this year's series, with Tahan a close second. "Tim drives the show, to an extent," Ben says. I love to love him and I love to hate him. Tahan is indestructible.