Big Brother star Mark Byron shared behind-the-scenes details of what the show is really like.
Another rendition of Big Brother is just around the corner as ITV2 has revived the series for a whole new generation. The broadcaster gave viewers a teaser trailer during the Love Island final but little is known about it.
Viewers have a lot of questions on their minds including what direction the show will take and who will be asked to host. Former Big Brother contestant Mark Byron put all of his support behind Rylan Clark to host having previously hosted the spin-off show and won the Celebrity version in 2013.
READ MORE: Big Brother must ignore influencers and go back to basics
Mark, from Liverpool, appeared on the show back in 2014 where he finished in 8th place. The 29-year-old was remembered for his larger-than-life, brash personality and wasn't afraid of a confrontation or two.
The ECHO caught up with Mark on the eight-year anniversary of his eviction to discuss his time on the show along with what he thinks the future of the series holds. Despite being so long ago, Mark said it felt like just yesterday he walked through the doors.
He said: "It's so weird. I remember everything so clearly but it was obviously so long ago but I do remember it like it was yesterday."
One of the biggest worries contestants have is how they will be portrayed to the outside world. Mark admitted that what is shown to audiences isn't scripted at all but was surprised to see some of his closest friends received an "unfavourable edit".
He said: "I was close with Pauline [Bennett in the house] and I thought 'Oh, they'll love her' but when I got out I was so surprised to see they [the public] didn't. After I looked at what they had shown of her I kind of got it but in the house she was so sweet and kind so I thought they'd really love her."
Mark said he was so nervous speaking to the show's presenter at the time Emma Willis, when he was evicted. He suggested his nervousness may have come from the fact the show, at the time, failed to provide media training to its contestants and said "they were thrown in at the deep end".
He said: "After you're done you're sat down in front of all these journalists from 100 magazines and they just ask you questions. I can talk all day but some people can't so it was interesting."
During his time on the show, which was then on Channel 5, Mark said cleaning levels in the house could get out of hand. He added: "They let you do your bed sheets and stuff once a week but you'd clean them more than that.
"You clean up everything yourself and they'll have people come in and tidy up the tasks but yeah, after a while it's disgusting."
Mark was originally cast on the 2008 series but had to turn it down as he wasn't publically out as gay at the time. Discussing his audition process the second time around, he said: "There's a lot of steps. You get a callback and they ask you a load of questions.
"There's a whole load of other legal stuff that goes on too like due diligence, background checks, police checks and that kind of stuff but after that they make you audition again. They put you in this massive mansion and give you these tasks to do with around 100 other people.
"They want to see how you interact and your personality. Then, day by day, they go from 100 to 90 to 80 and so on until you're only down to like 10."
Mark added the producers asked him to record his entry videotape before he got the confirmation he was cast. He said: "So that was interesting."
The impact of walking through the doors of the Big Brother house was something Mark feels will stay with contestants forever. Mark said: "I was just blown away. Nothing really that much different from what you see on television but it's just incredible to get in there and see it for yourself."
READ NEXT
- Rylan Clark shares rare unfiltered no makeup selfie
- Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley announces 'lengthy' break from ITV show
- Johnny Vegas 'walks off crying' as Josie Gibson issues apology on This Morning
- Who Wants To Be A Millionaire fans brand Craig Charles a 'genius'
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
