Big Brother has returned to British television after a five-year break.
The influential social experiment, in which housemates live together in a custom-made house without access to the outside world for weeks in order to win a cash prize, has reopened.
New presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best opened the launch show on ITV after the reality show was canceled by Channel 5 in 2018, introducing a new group of 16 contestants to a studio audience.
Featuring the most diverse cast ever including a dancing doctor, Miss Universe and a Muslim makeup artist.
Here’s everything you need to know about the show’s brand new housemates…
Back with a bang! Big Brother has returned to British television after a five-year break with the most diverse cast ever
Housemates: Dylan is a self-described “character” who said he was looking forward to the challenge of appearing on the iconic show
Name: Dylan
Age: 29
From: Coventry
Occupation: DJ
Dylan is a self-described “character” who said he was looking forward to the challenge of performing on the iconic show.
The musician and rapper, who lost his leg in a traffic accident in 2014, said: “I always like meeting new people and overcoming new hurdles as an amputee.”
“It will be an interesting journey to see if I can do everything that is asked of us without having problems staying on my leg for a certain amount of time and completing all the tasks.”
However, he admitted that his “positivity and loudness” could lead to him upsetting some of his housemates and threatening him with eviction.
Making a Difference: Farida is a “proud Muslim woman” who believes Asian culture is underrepresented on television and hopes to expand audience awareness
Name: Farida
Age: 50
From: Wolverhampton
Occupation: Make-up artist
Farida is a “proud Muslim woman” who believes Asian culture is underrepresented on television and hopes to expand audience awareness.
I want to say: I want to let people know that we Muslims are really not oppressed. I’m anything but repressed – I used to be a holiday rep!’.
She said her family and friends described her as “bubbly and fun” and revealed she had her eyes on the prize.
Admit: “People will nominate me because they are intimidated by the fact that I have the potential to win this. As simple as that.”
Name: Matty
Age: 24
From: Isle of Man
Occupation: doctor
Jumping for joy: “Old people love” Matty (pictured) works as a doctor in geriatrics and introduced himself to the audience as a free spirit who loved dancing
“Old people love” Matty works as a doctor in geriatrics and introduced himself to the audience as a free spirit who loved dancing.
Speaking about the reason for signing up for the show, he said: “I want to experience everything before I die and I just thought, why not do something crazy like that?” I watched Big Brother when I was nine or ten past my bedtime with my mother.
“I grew up in such a small town on the Isle of Man where I didn’t really see many people who felt like me. I remember watching Big Brother and being able to see myself in all these characters from a cross-section of society, and I thought, ‘Oh, maybe I would fit in.’ That’s why I’ve always wanted to apply.’
Name: Noky
Age: 26
From: Derby
Occupation: Banker
The 26-year-old banker from Derby, who won Miss Universe Great Britain 2022, said she wanted to challenge stereotypes about “pageant girls” and also show what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry.
“I want to show people what beauty girls are really like and disprove a lot of the stereotypes around them.”
Noky branded herself “so competitive” while also being guilty of “voicing her opinion” despite not being asked, which could lead to drama in the house.
Wow: Beauty queen Noky, who represented Britain at Miss Universe, said she wanted to prove to viewers that she was more than just her good looks
Fame Game: Noky in the evening gown competition during the preliminary round of the 71st Miss Universe beauty pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana in January
Name: Chanelle
Age: 29
By: Llanelli
Occupation: Dental therapist
Chanelle said she applied to appear on the show just “for fun” before securing a spot in the iconic house.
The beauty said family and friends described her as “funny, bubbly and quite resilient” but admitted she is often misjudged because of her blonde locks.
“I’m pretty smart, but I don’t have common sense. When I tell people I’ve won top honors, they ask themselves, ‘Did you pay someone to do that?’.”
Lucky for her: Chanelle said she only applied for the show “for fun” before securing a spot in the iconic house
Handsome guy: Thai-born male model Zak said he has “the kind of personality the world needs to see.”
Name: Zak
Age: 28
From: Manchester
Occupation: model
Thai-born male model Zak said he had “the kind of personality the world needs to see.”
“People might judge me because I’m a model.” People often have the wrong idea, but I’m a community boy.
“I’m not a typical model, I’m a down-to-earth guy. People think I’m arrogant, but when they actually get to know me, I have a lot more to offer.”
Name: Henry
Age: 25
From: Cotswolds
Occupation: Food writer
Boarding school boy Henry said he hoped to learn life skills during his time at the house as he cannot cook or clean.
“These are some important things that you don’t get taught in school that I have to learn. And I also just get to know a lot of different people from very different backgrounds that I might not meet in my everyday life.”
He also said that his work as a food writer could lead to him criticizing his housemates’ dishes – which could undoubtedly cause friction.
Posh: Boarding school boy Henry said he hoped to learn life skills during his time at the house as he can’t cook or clean
Hard work? Hallie says that while her family would describe her as a “diva” who “speaks her mind,” she sees herself as both “bossy and” “lazy.”
Name: Hallie
Age: 18
From London
Occupation: youth worker
Hallie says that while her family would describe her as a “diva” who “speaks her mind,” she sees herself as both “bossy and” “lazy.”
Speaking about why she might be nominated, she mused: “I like to speak my mind, and not many people like that. “I’m real.
She’s no stranger to fame: She was once in the news after accidentally swallowing magnets before they were surgically removed.
Name: Jenkin
Age: 25
From: Bridgend
Occupation: Barman
Jenkin, from South Wales, made it clear to viewers that he was “not the only gay in the village”.
The barman, cleaner and bingo caller said he “can’t keep secrets” and will “bring the drama to the Big Brother house”.
Out and proud: Jenkin, from South Wales, made it clear to viewers that he was ‘not the only gay in the village’.
Fresh start: Kerry, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said Big Brother was “the ultimate reality TV show” but never applied because the stairs to the house felt out of reach
Name: Kerry
Age: 40
From: Essex
Occupation: NHS manager
The 40-year-old NHS manager, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said Big Brother was “the ultimate reality TV show” but never applied because she was in a wheelchair for the first three years and felt the stairs to the house were difficult felt unattainable because of her illness.
Kerry, from Essex, who once won £35,000 on Deal Or No Deal, said: “When I saw it come back and was looking for real people from all walks of life I thought this is my year.”
She made history when she became the first contestant ever to enter the house on a scooter.
Name: Jordan
Age: 25
From: Scunthorpe
Occupation: Lawyer
The “sarcastic” lawyer joked that what he’s most looking forward to is “not having to pay any bills” during his time in the house.
He said he applied for the show on a whim and was interested in the social experimentation side of the program.
Saying: “I have a face like a chastened bottom, which is why I wear such wonderful shirts to compensate.”
Funny: ‘Sarcastic’ lawyer Jordan joked that what he’s most looking forward to is “not having to pay any bills” during his time in the house.
Dancing Queen: Olivia said she grew up on Big Brother and thinks she fits the bill because “I have personality to sell and this is the best place to sell it.”
Name: Olivia
Age: 23
From: Glasgow
Profession: Dancer
Olivia said she grew up on “Big Brother” and thinks she fits the bill because “I have a personality to sell and this is the best place to sell it.”
She also described herself as the “life and soul of the party.”
And while friends and family describe her as “loud and confident,” she’s actually afraid of traffic.
Name: Yinrun
Age: 25
From: Harrogate
Occupation: Customer service representative
The account manager, from Harrogate, is from Shanghai in China and believes the show will help her “dive deeper into British culture”.
Yinrun said her dream is to use the money to move to a farm if she wins the show.
However, she might have a hard time making it to the finals as she snores “loudly,” which could cause tension with her housemates.
Sweet: Yinrun, from Harrogate, is from Shanghai in China and believes the show will help her “dive deeper into British culture”.
Pooh! Paul said he lives with his grandfather and left viewers in shock when he admitted the pair went to the toilet with the door open
Name: Paul
Age: 23
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Security officer
Paul said he lived with his grandfather and left viewers in shock when he admitted the pair went to the toilet with the door open.
He described himself as “extroverted to say the least” and “a bit crazy.”
Paul suspected that he might be on the wrong side of his competitors because he was the “loudest” and “devoured all the food.”
Boy: Cheeky, cheerful Tom, a butcher from Somerset, described himself as ‘quite loud and talkative’
Her take: The 33-year-old mother from Luton, originally from Congo, said she wanted to “humanise refugees and immigrants” and show there were “real people” behind the statistics
Name: Tom
Age: 21
From: Somerset
Occupation: butcher
Cheeky, cheerful Tom, a butcher from Somerset, described himself as “quite loud and chatty”.
However, he also said that he has the potential to offend people because his “mouth moves faster than my brain.”
Name: Trish
Age: 33
From: Luton
Occupation: Stay home mom
The 33-year-old mother from Luton, originally from Congo, said she wanted to “humanise refugees and immigrants” and show there were “real people” behind the statistics.
She also described herself as very left-wing, adding: “I hate the Tories.”
Outspoken friends would describe her as “opinionated” and “argumentative.”
Big Brother continues on Monday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
BIG BROTHER 2023: LEARN THE PARTICIPANTS!
JENKIN
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: Barman
FROM: Bridgend
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? “Probably loud and chaotic and irritating.”
TOM
AGE: 21
OCCUPATION: Butcher
FROM: Somerset
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “I think I could potentially offend some people. “My mouth moves faster than my brain.”
TRISH
AGE: 33
OCCUPATION: Mom
FROM: Luton
What would you do with the prize money if you won? “I think my first priority is to sort out my living situation. The housing crisis is just ridiculous and my housing situation was unstable. It gives me a lot of guilt as a mother because I have a small child. It’s my biggest incentive and my biggest motivation to win.”
JORDAN
AGE: 25
PROFESSION: Lawyer
FROM: Scunthorpe
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “I’m argumentative and act like I don’t want to be there, even when I do in my heart.” Maybe they nominate me because I’m uninterested or because I don’t give everyone equal attention. You may feel left out, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’
DYLAN
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: DJ
FROM: Coventry
TELL US AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF: “I appeared on a TV show about amputees called The Last Leg – two years before I lost my leg!”
NOKY
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Bank clerk
FROM: Derby
Why did you apply to be a Big Brother Housemate? “I love challenges. I’ve had so many great moments in my life, like winning Miss Universe as Miss Great Britain. I like doing something different and think this is the next challenge I want to tackle. I want to show people what beauty girls are really like and refute many stereotypes around them. I also show what it’s like to be a woman who has worked in male-dominated fields. “I want to show that women are capable of doing anything they want.”
PAUL
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: Security officer
FROM: Liverpool
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “Being the tallest, eating all the food, and being the loudest roommate.”
OLIVIA
AGE: 23
PROFESSION: Dancer
FROM: Glasgow
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “I think if people are that hungry, I’ll finish people off and finish them off. I think they will nominate me for my comprehensiveness, my brutal honesty and my excessive expression of opinions.’
FARIDA
AGE: 50
PROFESSION: Make-up artist
FROM: Wolverhampton
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself: “People are always surprised when I say I got married at 43. Or that I am a former holiday representative on Gran Canaria and Menorca.”
HAILLE
AGE: 18
PROFESSION: Youth worker
From London
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “Be lazy and have an opinion.” I’m quite opinionated, I like to express my opinion and not many people like that. I’m very real.’
YINRUN
AGE: 25
OCCUPATION: Customer service representative
FROM: Harrogate
What part of the experience are you most looking forward to? “What I enjoy most is being surrounded by so many people from different walks of life. I don’t think I’ll ever live in a house with so many different people again. “I’m from China and I think it will help me delve deeper into British culture.”
CHANELLE
AGE: 29
PROFESSION: Dental therapist
FROM: Llanelli
What are you most likely to be nominated for? “Probably just because I’m annoying.” There’s this saying in Wales: “I’ll do it straight away.” For example, if I were preparing food and left a dish next to it, I would have good intentions to wash it up, but I would say, “I’ll do that in a minute,” and it might be three hours later before I do it. So probably for stupid things like that.’
ZAK
AGE: 28
PROFESSION: Model
FROM: Manchester
What would you do with the prize money if you won? “Pay off my debts and help my family.” I also saved up to build a park in my home village in Thailand because there are no parks or playgrounds where I grew up.”
MATTY
AGE: 25
PROFESSION: Doctor
FROM: Isle of Man
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? “They would say I’m a happy person or someone who really wants to live life to the fullest and do everything it has to offer. Someone who is friendly and fun and doesn’t take life too seriously.”
HENRY
AGE: 25
PROFESSION: Food writer
FROM: Cotswolds
HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? “I think you would say that I am particularly outgoing and very talkative. I mean, I’ll be honest, my parents would definitely say I’m a bit of a snob, but I take that as a compliment. I think that means you have high standards and good taste. They would say I’m quite a strange child.’
Kerry
AGE: 40
OCCUPATION: NHS manager
FROM: Essex
Why did you apply to be a housemate on Big Brother? “I love the program. For me it is the ultimate reality TV show of all time. I suffer from multiple sclerosis and that’s why I’ve never applied because I always saw these huge stairs crashing into the house. It just felt a bit out of reach because I was in a wheelchair for the first three years of my illness. When I saw it come back and was looking for real people from all walks of life, I thought: This is my year.”