Watching Big Brother has cost UK police almost STG700 ($A1191) after a former detective involved in the Jimmy Savile inquiry became a house-mate.
Ex-police officer Daniel Neal joined the UK series despite the Metropolitan Police warning the broadcaster of the dangers of putting him on screen.
Neal was evicted from the Big Brother house on July 26.
Before entering the house, Neal told the Daily Star he thought his appearance might "cause a stir" within the police, but did not believe it would shame the service.
"I don't see why it would," he said. "It's not like I'm going into some porno industry."
The Channel 5 website describes him as a "hunky gay police officer".
His Big Brother profile says: "Dan has been a police officer for 10 years. He admits it can be draining at times and sometimes really upsetting but he has enjoyed it because he is making a difference."
The police released the figure following a freedom of information request for a breakdown of the costs incurred by directing officers to watch the show over concerns that details of live investigations might be broadcast.
Scotland Yard contacted the station after details first emerged about Neal's previous career and his work on Operation Yewtree, the investigation into serial sex offender Savile.
It said it had made the broadcaster aware of "potential risks" to ongoing police investigations and reminded the company of its responsibility.
All officers joining and leaving the police service are required to sign the Official Secrets Act, it said.
In June, when Neal's participation was revealed, a Channel 5 spokesman said it took its obligations as a broadcaster seriously and had made it clear to New Scotland Yard that nothing would be broadcast "which would involve the former police officer breaching confidentiality, invading the privacy of others, committing libel or a contempt of court".
