The most iconic British reality TV moments which we have no choice but to quote every day

Cue Zara McDermott: ‘YOU CAAAAAAN’

3 years ago

Across shows including Love Island, I’m a Celebrity and Come Dine with Me, UK television truly has provided us with a plethora of iconic moments. So iconic in fact, that they have subtly embedded themselves into everyday life and you find yourself unintentionally quoting Gemma Collins in the depths of your despair. Here’s a roundup of the most quotable UK television moments in recent history.

‘Do you want me to rap anyone? Lift the mood a bit?’

Chris’ offer to lift the mood by rapping after the chaotic recoupling that saw Georgia break up Kem and Amber is arguably one of the most iconic quotes to have come from series three of Love Island. If only Chris had known then how monumental this would become and how many afters have ended at 5am with this simple quote.

‘I’m claustrophobic, Darren!’

Between frazzled hair and being all game’d out, Gemma Collins truly is the gift that keeps on giving. However, this iconic Big Brother moment takes the cake as the words “I’m claustrophobic, Darren” mark one of the biggest television blessings of series 17.

‘Dear lord, what a sad little life, Jane’

Despite having aired on television 12 years ago in 2009, this infamous scene from Come Dine with Me will forever live rent-free in our minds and doesn’t need much of an explanation. What did Jane do to deserve this? We’re still thinking about her and the prize money, wondering whether or not she did end up spending it on some lessons in grace and decorum.

‘You’re joking, not another one?’

A.k.a. everyone’s response to currently being in another lockdown. Our thoughts are with Brenda from Bristol and her response to Theresa May’s call for another general election in 2017, we hope she’s doing okay.

‘YOU CAAAAAAAAAAN’

We’ve all seen Zara’s breakdown following her cheating scandal on Made in Chelsea. Imitating Zara’s “you can” in a shaky voice is applicable in almost every situation ever. Whether you’re trying to convince your housemate to drink two a bottle of wine with you on a random Monday evening as an attempt to forget how bleak life is right now, or you’re struggling to get on Zoom at 9am to attend your online seminar. If you don’t quote this on the regular, we don’t want to be friends with you.

‘I also want to be the person that gets up and makes everyone a coffee, so everyone’s ready in the morning’

Have we forgotten about Amy’s and Curtis’ short-lived relationship? Almost. Will we ever forget all the Twitter memes that surfaced after Curtis’ explanation for not giving Amy a cuddle in the morning? Never.

‘David is dead’

Tiffany Pollard mistakenly thinking David Gest had died is yet another iconic Big Brother moment that will go down in history, arguably being one of the most amazing moments of reality TV ever. We’re surprised Tiffany didn’t receive a BAFTA for her reaction. “You told her that David was dead with cancer. He’s in there, asleep.”

‘I’m sorry to hear that your grandma passed away yeah’

Poor Hadiqa, we hope she’s okay after this clip of Educating Yorkshire aired in 2013. It’s been eight years and we still haven’t forgotten that no one can force Safiyyah to be her mate or anything. Who said the UK has no culture? This clip proves otherwise.

‘WHO IS SHE? WHERE DID YOU FIND HER?’

This roundup wouldn’t be complete without a mention of at least one of Nikki’s unforgettable tantrum moments that really defined series seven of Big Brother. Nikki Grahame has openly credited Big Brother for “saving her life” and we think it’s safe to say that she made all of ours better with the endless opportunities of quotable moments she has given us during her time in the house.