BIG Brother is set to make a dramatic return to UK telly screens.
But there is a big twist.
Bosses at E4 are bringing back all the antics of the Diary Room but with the most recent series of Big Brother VIP.
The Australian version of the iconic Celebrity spin-off stars Meghan Markle’s brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, US reality star Caitlyn Jenner and Aussie’s own Jessika Power.
Jessika is best known for appearing in the 2019 series of Married At First Sight Australia but is also among this year’s Celebs Go Dating lineup here in the UK.
Announcing the ‘return’ of Big Brother, E4 explained that the famous faces will be seen living in plush ‘hotel’ accommodation, rather than a BB house.
The winner will walk away with a huge cash prize for charity, worth £53,000.
“The Diary Room Doors are preparing to open Down Under,” E4 said in a statement.
“Over 11 episodes, this celebrity series will see 12 celebrities live together in Big Brother’s first ever ‘luxury hotel’ – but of course, there’ll be a Big Brother twist waiting for them, as well as the chance to win a $100,000 prize for charity.”
Big Brother VIP also stars a slew of Australian celebs, including Australian Survivor contestant Luke Toki, actor Bernard Curry and model and actress Ellie Gonsalves.
The series, which aired Down Under in November 2021, is hosted by Sonia Kruger, who also presents The Voice Australia and the civilian series of Big Brother Australia.
BIG HISTORY
Big Brother has not aired on UK TV screens since 2018.
Vlogger Cameron Cole, then 22, was crowned the final winner of the iconic programme on November 5.
His triumph followed that of ex Corrie star Ryan Thomas, who had been announced the last winner of Celebrity Big Brother in August.
Prior to BB 2018 airing, a Channel 5 spokesman had confirmed: “The forthcoming series of Big Brother will be the last – of either celebrity or civilian versions – on Channel 5.
“We’d like to thank Endemol and all of the production team who have worked tirelessly to make the show a success.”
Big Brother first launched on UK screens in 2000, with Davina McCall at the helm. Dermot O’Leary presented spin-off show Big Brother’s Little Brother.
In 2011, the show moved to Channel 5 and BB 2001 winner Brian Dowling took over hosting duties. He was later replaced by Emma Willis. Rylan Clark, meanwhile, began presenting spin-off Big Brother’s Bit On The Side.
In 2020, rumours of a Big Brother reboot were rife but the show did not end up making a full comeback.
To lift spirits during the height of the pandemic, however, Davina and Rylan hosted a special 20th anniversary mini-series in June of that year.
The pair spent time looking back at the most iconic episodes from BB and CBB’s two-decade reign.
