Big Brother is back on our screens, after what has felt like a very long five years away.
The show – one of the biggest reality TV series to grace our screens – was originally axed by Channel 4 in 2010 and later by Channel 5 in 2018. Now, the show has come back, this time to ITV2.
Two Big Brother housemates are in the public’s hands on Friday night as they hope to remain on the reality television series.
Zak and Henry are both up for nomination, and their Big Brother fate is in the hands of the ITV2 viewers, who will decide which one leaves the house and which one continues on.
Here is everything you need to know about the new series.
When did Big Brother start and when does it end?
The Big Brother launch aired on Sunday, October 8 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
The show was originally planned for a return in the Spring, but in November last year it was confirmed that the show would be delayed until the autumn 2023.
It airs from Sundays to Fridays between 9-10pm, before the traditional ‘after’ show, and with two hours of ‘live feed’ being shown every night on ITVX.
What does the new Big Brother look like?
Producers vowed to go back to how things were when the series first started on Channel 4. This means getting “back to basics”, by show makers “interfering less” and creating fewer challenges to allow housemates to create their own relationships and drama.
The new series features ordinary members of the public instead of celebrities, but producers have not yet written off the possibility of the return of Celebrity Big Brother.
Who hosts Big Brother?
AJ Odudu and Will Best are the hosts of the brand new Big Brother series.
The announcement was made on Twitter back in April after a number of names were swirling the rumour mill.
ITV2 director Paul Mortimer said: “AJ and Will really are our perfect pairing as we prepare to reintroduce Big Brother to the next generation.
“With a genuine chemistry, both of them will bring effortless wit, charm and heaps of character to their roles and we’re delighted to be working with them both again.”
Among those previously named as possibilities were Maura Higgins, Alison Hammond and even 2013 winner Rylan Clark.
Should clarify. I’ve not been asked to host the show. As a fan, like always, I’m made up it’s coming back. I know how hard you/we all fought to keep that name alive and I’m so glad it paid off in the end. The OG reality is back. It’s the news we wanted. Welcome back bro x #bbuk
— R Y L A N (@Rylan) August 2, 2022
Who narrates Big Brother 2023?
It would not be Big Brother without the all-time favourite narrator Marcus Bentley, who has been at the helm for the entirety of the lifetime of the series since its launch in 2000. And fans need fret not, for it it is said that he is back again for the new run of the series.
A report by The Sun revealed an insider said: “It was a no-brainer to have Marcus back for the new era - he is simply the voice associated with Big Brother UK.”
Where is the new Big Brother house?
The new house is now located at Garden Studios, a snazzy newly-built studio in West London.
On Good Morning Britain, presenter Richard Arnold got a sneak preview of the house
Taking viewers behind the scenes, Arnold said: "The living area is absolutely vast. There are two huge sofas, it’s the biggest communal area that I’ve ever seen in a Big Brother house over the years.
"There's a bath on a plinth. Initially they were going to have a clear bath but it would have to come from China and the key message here in the house this year is sustainability.”
He added: "The diary room is a sight to behold, it's the biggest chair that I've ever seen."
Can I apply to join Big Brother 2024?
There has been no announcement about the next series of Big Brother. But stay tuned on the ITV website to hear more.
How to watch the live stream
The famous live stream, showing the goings on in the Big Brother house, has made a return for the new series. When the show made its original debut back in 2000, viewers could also tune in to a live stream of what was happening after the main weekly show ended.
The stream was a staple of UK reality TV for a while, but was eventually removed from later seasons. Now, it is set to make its return, so fans can tune in to watch what’s happening in the house at any time.
To watch the live stream, head to ITVX.
⚠️BIG NEWS⚠️
— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) September 25, 2023
We're going LIVE with Big Brother: Late & Live straight after the show, six days a week. Plus, you can watch even more action from the house straight after with the Big Brother: Live Stream on @ITVX! #BBUK pic.twitter.com/Q2j2JRbuy6
