What we know about Big Brother so far: Rumoured housemates, start date and shake-ups
By Fay Strang
IN just a matter of weeks the UK will meet the latest hopefuls who will battle it out in the Big Brother house.
Over the last 17 series the British public has met some reality TV legends ( think Jade Goody, Nikki Grahame), some epic baddies like Nasty Nick and they’ve seen the start of some beautiful or not so beautiful romances.
And now it’s about to happen all over again with Emma Willis taking the helm once again but things look set to be rather different this time round following a major shake-up.
Here’s what we know about the upcoming series so far…
The new logo
Must of the details are still underwraps but one thing we know for sure is the new logo which was unveiled this week.
The new design shows a Yin and Yang–style split eye with shattered shards of colour running through the middle.
It appears to confirm previous reports that when the long-running reality TV show returns next month, bosses are planning to merge the regular series with the celebrity version.
Any shake-ups planned?
Big Brother loves to cause chaos and this year its thought that celebs will be in the house alongside normal folk.
It is believed that the celebs and normal folk will actually live in separate parts of the house and only share communal areas.
A source said: "The producers of Big Brother are intending on blurring the lines of the 'civilian' and 'celebrity' shows by putting in a mixture of unknown names and tabloid personalities.”
Who is hosting?
Emma Willis is fronting the show once again – as she has done since it moved to Channel 5.
Rylan will be back doing Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, which has proved to be just as drama filled over the years.
Speaking about the upcoming series Rylan told Digital Spy: “Everything’s coming very soon. The new look, new treatment, new feel. It’s a brand new show this year which is scary for me and Emma [Willis], scary for the production team, and very scary for the housemates. It feels like we’re starting a new school. It’s like going to big school.”
When does it start?
There’s no official start date just yet. It’s thought it will be kicking off at the end of June – after being pushed back for Emma to spend a bit of time with her third child, who she recently gave birth to.
Is the house the same?
No! The house is going to be very different this year after a 700sq metre extension was added to the famous compound.
According to reports the new space, which is built in the old eviction area, was added for a new garden and pool – or maybe even two houses where the two groups will live.
There is also a new eviction set to make room for the extensions – which will also hopefully be more practical when there’s bad weather.
The Channel 5 controller Ben Frow recently said: “‘Big Brother’ 2016 is going to be very different to what you’ve seen before. I am going to take a big look at it.”
Who is rumoured to be going in?
One of the names in the mix is Catherine Byrne, the model who pretended to be a student to spend £14k loan on a boob job.
A source told the Sun Online: "One of the people they're really keen on is Catherine, and some lesser known reality stars from shows like Ex On The Beach.
"They're on the hunt for people that are desperate for fame and will no doubt prove to be TV gold."
Other “celebs” said to be in talks to enter the house are professional rinsers, Lucie, Sophie and Stacey, aka The Selfie Sisters.
The source added: "Lucie, Sophie and Stacey have all had secret meetings in London - but they've got their own list of demands for producers.
"They want to be considered as one housemate, and they're insisting on sharing a bed.
"It's no secret that they want to be the UK's answer to the Kardashians, which is why they all changed their names to end in 'ie' to make them more of a brand.
"Considering they've rinsed over £75,000-worth of gifts out of men, if they go in the house, it'll be their way.
"They've made a living out of getting what they want."
Plus, former Ex On The Beach star Connor Hunter, who proved popular on the MTV show chasing after girls in virtually nothing.
Another name in the mix is X Factor reject Ryan Ruckledge.
His appearance on the ITV singing contest was marred in controversy after he dressed up as a “dead Cilla Black” for Halloween.
He hit headlines again earlier this year after claiming he had enjoyed an intimate encounter with Stephanie Davis’ ex Sam Reece.
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