/> Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds is out of the Bigg Boss house and raring to get back home for Christmas.

What are you plans now?
I am heading home tonight. It's Christmas time. I haven't done my Christmas shopping as yet.

What are your plans for after Christmas?
I've got the IPL coming up. So I'll be back here in March. It'd be good if we play well.

But for now I am just enjoying the thought of being home with family and friends for Christamas.

What prompted you to go into Bigg Boss?
It was a good opportunity, a new challenge and something that I hadn't tried before. I've great affection for India and the Indian people.

I've a lot of friends here. So I keep coming back here. I enjoy being here. I will never lose my affection for India.

You did a role with Akshay Kumar in Patiala House?
Yeah, that was fun.

Are you relieved to be out of the Bigg Boss house?
Yes. But it was a good experience while it lasted. It taught me what are the important things in life.

Family, for one?
Yes, this is a good time to get back home when Christmas is around the corner.

How did you handle the cultural differences between you and the rest of the Bigg Boss inmates?
I just tried to observe my surroundings for a week or so. I didn't want to lose my cool. I know how sensitive Indian people are.

I just wanted to stay out of everyone' way and try and have a calming influence on everyone.

I wanted to bring some positivity into the House.

There had been a lot of disagreements within the House.

Do you think you succeeded in doing what you set out to?
I don't know. I haven't seen the episodes. But from what I hear it was good. I need to look at myself. Personally it's been a good experience for me.

Tell me about the contestants you liked and the ones you thoroughly hated inside Bigg Boss house?
My mother always taught me hate was a very strong word.

Okay so which ones did you find hard to get along with?
Pooja Missra was hard to understand. Her moods changed quickly. I was in a position where I could help her. I wanted to try and understand her.

I didn't give up on her right till the end, really. I think Siddharth Bharadwaj responded better to my advice.