When Bez went into the Celebrity Big Brother house, he unashamedly admitted he was in it for the money.
The Happy Mondays legend had been declared bankrupt months before he signed up to the Channel 4 show in 2005.
Bez, who became famous for waving his maracas, planned to use his fee to pay off his mounting tax bills - and winning the series would mean even more cash.
There were fears that Bez wouldn't last long in the house as he became restless and claimed he wanted to "jump over the wall"
However, he saw off competition from rapper Kenzie and actress Brigitte Nielsen in the final and won with 54% of the public vote.
Claiming the CBB 3 crown and specifically the money which came with it handed Bez a massive lifeline.
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On leaving the house, a chuffed Bez told host Davina McCall: "Now I can just pay my bills and walk straight with no stress.
"I was in a great deal of trouble. Now I'm bailed out and I'm forever grateful."
Bez went on a staggering 10-hour celebratory bender after leaving the house and missed his scheduled appearance on Channel 4's Richard & Judy show.
Despite being £50,000 richer with numerous offers rolling in, the musician's money woes were far over as Bez said the taxman took 'every penny' of his prize pot.
But that didn't stop him from blowing a significant portion himself and using some of his winnings on his prized London black cab.
After winning CBB he wasted little time in updating it and splurged a whopping £10,000 on a new engine and exhaust system for his motor.
He then appeared on MTV show Pimp My Ride with to give his beloved vehicle a more extreme makeover.
The taxi was transformed with 20 speakers, eight amps, two DVD players and 15 TV screens.
The TAXI sign on top was removed to make way for 'PIMP' and the exterior of the car was given a purple paint job.
Sadly, things didn't look quite as flashy in Bez's personal life.
The Inland Revenue filed a petition against Bez, real name Mark Berry, for a second time in 2008 - three years after his reality show appearance.
Speaking to Martin Lewis in 2013, Bez said winning Big Brother actually did him 'no good financially.'
"I managed to pay off a tax bill I had," said Bez, adding the tax man took 'every penny' from him.
"My problem is doing the paper work and such like. I just don't do it. I could actually pay somebody to do it. I could but I don't," he admitted.
Despite past problems with money, Bez revealed: "I don't actually worry about finance because, obviously being the person that I am, I always find a way to make a bit of Yankee Dolla when I need to."
Bez will be hoping he doesn't spend his Dancing on Ice appearance fee so quickly.
*Dancing on Ice airs tonight on ITV at 6pm
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