With the return of Big Brother, the reality TV show is set to come back with a bit of a bang if the list of names is anything to by.
The contestants have enter the house for Season 26, with live coverage on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm from tonight. Hosted by and , Big Brother: Live Launch reveals the sixteen housemates set to take up residence in the nation’s most iconic house, which has been given a fresh lick of paint ahead of the new series.
Expect gripping nominations, elaborate tasks, live evictions plus new twists and turns with all the must-see action playing out inside this famous abode. And one of the contestants has a surprising link to King Charles. The public once again holds all the cards, voting throughout the series and ultimately deciding who will leave this experience with a life changing cash prize of £100,000.
King Charles’ former butler, an amputee footballer and a forensic psychologist... it can only be the new .
After being introduced tonight, here’s who Big Brother will be watching. Nathan, a 24-year-old “pork salesman” was previously ’ butler, before he was crowned. “I think that’s one thing that will surprise people,” he admits.
Then there’s East London hipster Dean, 35, who dresses the part and says: “People normally think I’m a bit of an a**ehole.” Martha, 26, from Scarborough, North Yorks, says she’s a loud introvert. “I love nothing more than getting in my pjs and going to bed at 8pm.” That’ll be good telly.
Amputee footballer Thomas, 20, from Carlisle, reckons: “I look a lot different to everyone else and that’s alright with me.” Beauty worker Emma, 53, studied law at university but says she can be judged as a “dolly bird – thick as pig s**t”.
Climate activist Daze, 24, from London, says being an eco-warrior means she is in debt, so she hopes to win the £100k prize, while Chinese takeaway worker Lily, 20, would blow it all on a holiday to Ibiza. Forensic psychologist Ali, 38, from Leicester, says she is often underestimated, while Watford charity worker Segun, 25, is “terrified of ostriches”.
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ROSIE
The first contestant to enter the the iconic house is Rosie, who viewers described as 'very screamy'. The loud contestant already dropped the S-bomb and has only been in the house for about five seconds.
When asked why she applied for the show, Rosie said: "This is something I’ve always wanted to do and I know it’s so easy to say but it’s the best opportunity. I can’t tell you how grateful I am. I can’t even believe it’s happening."
EMMANext up is Emma is 53 who looks incredible for her age. Emma works in aesthetics and has a daughter who is 24 years old. When asked what she will bring to the show, Emma said: "I’m going to bring peace and harmony and a whole lot of laughter - that’s going to be me. But saying that, I could go in there and be the one to cause all the drama. I would like to think I’m the peacemaker. People ask me if I’m going to be the mother hen in the house - I might have times where I’m the mother hen but generally speaking I’ll be one of the girls. I don’t think I really act my age when I really should so I can’t see myself acting my age in Big Brother."
SEGUNSegun was the third contestant to enter the iconic house. Segun revealed what he was most looking forward to when he said: "The detach from life. And to learn about myself is one of the things I’m looking forward to the most. It’s an environment that I’ve never been in before. And to be locked away from life will be interesting to see how I am and learn about myself while I’m in the house."
DAZEDaze is a Climate Activist from London and admits she loves her food, which means there may be an issue if she get hungry.
Before entering the house she said: "I like food a lot. I know that can sometimes be a contentious thing in the house. So I’m going to try to not eat too much." Her role as a Climate Activist unfortunately means that she is often in debt.
She added: "It’s been a difficult financial period for me – climate activism is quite often something you do in debt. It would be nice to have money to do the work. I’d also help my family, and other activists as well."
KHALED
Khaled is a 23 year old Sales Manager from Manchester who thought Big Brother was a show about carers. He explained: "I didn’t actually know what Big Brother was. I thought it was a show about being a carer – because I worked at a kids’ camp. I thought it’s a new opportunity in life. I have no interest in being famous. I’m Lebanese and Palestinian and I thought this would be a great platform to discuss it from the point of view of someone that grew up in the west and has Middle Eastern heritage."
NATHANNathan, 24, claims to have a lot of life experience despite being in his early twenties. He once worked as King Charles' butler when he was prince. He said: "I was Prince [King] Charles’ butler. I think that’s one thing that will definitely surprise people."
The Pork Salesman from Dumfries admitted that it was his goal to experience the house. He recently said: "I applied purely for the experience. I like to do new things, and like to try and push myself, and wanted to have an experience like no other."
Keen to win the cash prize, he also revealed that he wants to improve his appearance. He admitted: "I’m quite vain. I got composite bonding on my teeth last year. And they stain – I love a glass of red wine so I would get a new set of veneers so I could enjoy a glass of red wine again – I’d like to get back to that."
LILYLily is a 20 year server at a Chinese takeaway shop. The Warrington born housemate said she originally applied to appear on the show to get revenge on her ex boyfriend.
She admitted: "I originally applied because it was my ex’s favourite TV show because we broke up. I thought ‘I’m going to go on his favourite TV show’. I’d never heard of it. When I dated him, he was obsessed with it and I was like ‘what is it?’ because he was older. When we broke up, I saw the advert and I thought I’m going to apply for his favourite TV show and get on it - I didn’t think I would. I also think it will be a cool experience. "
MARTHAMartha, 26, said she is most looking forward to sitting in the show's Diary Room chair.
She said: "Definitely sitting on the Diary Room chair. That is a bucket list ticked off. Also just experiencing that isolation. I’m going to really enjoy not having my phone. I just love not having that responsibility. I think feeling the benefits of life without a screen is just unheard of. It can be so beneficial to your mental health. And hopefully meeting different people – people I wouldn’t normally come across. The beauty of life is that you come across so many different people. "
ALI
Ali is a 38 year old Forensic Psychologist from Leicester. When asked if she had a strategy, she said: "My strategy is to be myself. I’m not going in with any thoughts about playing a particular role, or character. I’m going to be myself. My strategy would be getting to know people in the house and trying to make friends. The main way to keep yourself safe seems to be not getting internal votes so you’re not put up for eviction in the first place. Hopefully getting people on side and being liked. But not to the detriment of sacrificing who I am or my self-respect. "
THOMASThomas who is an amputee footballer from Carlisle admits to being "energetic." The 20 year old sportsman said: "I describe myself as a very energetic, always lively person - I hate silence! I feel like I’m very good at communicating with people. I’m a good people person and I know how to speak to different people whether they’re from a different background to me, different character - even if we have next to nothing in common, I still feel like I could have a conversation with someone. I think I’m going to be the mediator but also with my age and the way I act, people are going to see me as that giddy, young person. I think I’m going to add a whole lot of things! "
RYANRyan 28, works in Marketing and Events and believes he is likely to be nominated for being "loud." He revealed: "Maybe being a bit loud and some people don’t like jokes all the time. People might think I don’t take anything too seriously. "
HANNAHHannah, 24, is HR Consultant from west London and says she plans to bring "vibes" to the house. When asked what the most exciting part part of being a housemate was, she said: "I’m looking forward to seeing who I’m going to be friends with and coming out of the house, who I’m going to go on trips with, catch coffee with, go for runs with - who is going to be in my life forever. Making connections and new bonds because being a Gen Z babes, sometimes it's hard to make deep connections with people when you come out of university or education. And also, the tasks!"
IZAAZ
Izaaz, 29, who is sales consultant from London said he is keen to find out his annoying habits, which may result in his nominations from fellow housemates.
And surprising thing about him is that he is louder than he looks. He told producers: "I’m louder than I look. As soon as I get comfortable, you’ll know. The first few days will be getting to know people and sussing out who they are and what they’re bringing to the team. "
SARAHSarah, 27, joins the group in the house. She works as a Spa account manager from Shrewsbury. Keen to settle down with her partner, Sarah said that before she becomes a wife and mother she wants to experience one last crazy moment.
She said: "I’ve got a wonderful partner and we’re going to settle down and have kids. But I just want to do one more crazy thing before I settle down. I want one more experience to be like ‘wow’. "
MARCELLOMarcello, who is a youth mentor from east London is one of the oldest contestants in the house, at 34. And if he were to win the series and walk off with the cash prize, he plans to treat his mum and grandmother. He said: "I would treat my mum and my grandma. They’ve been there for me through thick and thin and have always supported me. I would love to take them away, look after them. After that, I’d love to create some security for myself. "
DEANDean, 35 is a barber from east London but says he may face nomination for talking too much as he always feels the need to fill silence. Speaking to Big Brother ahead of the show, he admitted: "I’ll probably be nominated because I can be annoying. Sometimes if there’s a silence I like to fill it. I’ll probably get nominated for talking too much. "
Big Brother continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
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