Big Brother is back – but will you be watching?

It’s less than a year since we waved goodbye to Big Brother for the last time – but like a monster in a horror film it’s back from the dead. But will anyone be watching?

The new series will be filmed at the famous Big Brother house in Elstree and will begin with an “all-star celebrity version” this summer followed by a new series featuring members of the public.

Channel 5 has bought exclusive rights to the series in a two-year deal thought to be worth around £200m.

Even though news has only just been released about the forthcoming series, speculation is already rife about who will be presenting – and which celebs will appear in this summer’s series.

Although guilty of playing fast and loose with the term ‘celebrity’ in the past, names being bandied about for the new series of Celebrity Big Brother include Charlie Sheen, Mohammad al Fayed, Cheryl Cole, Amy Childs from The Only Way Is Essex – and many more.

If you’ve already forgotten (or blanked out) what happened on Big Brother over the last ten years, here’s a handy crib sheet:

Big Brother One (2000)

‘Nasty’ Nick Bateman was caught out trying to influence votes and faced a dressing down from eventual winner and TV handyman Craig Phillips. Nichola Holt shouted at lots of people and then embarked on an ill-advised pop career with the song ‘The Game’.

Big Brother Two (2001)

Self-confessed ‘rock star’ Paul Clarke fell head over heels for ditzy Welsh hairdresser Helen Adams (“I love blinking I do” being her most famous line), despite her faithful boyfriend waiting for her at home. Oops. Still, they managed to stay together as a couple for five years after leaving the BB house.

Big Brother Three (2002)

Jade Goody was launched upon an unsuspecting nation, complete with now-classic phrases including ‘East Angular is abroad isn’t it?’ and the unusual use of the term ‘kebab’. Kate Lawler, 22, became the first woman to win the show and went on to work as a model, DJ and TV presenter.

Big Brother Four (2003)

No, we didn’t watch it either. This was the famously dull year, won by Cameron Stout from the Orkney Islands.

Big Brother Five (2004)

Big Brother went from dull to evil, and violence broke out in the house. Madeiran transsexual Nadia Almada eventually trotted off with the cash prize and ‘romance’ blossomed between Michelle Bass and Stuart Wilson who disappeared under a table, hidden from cameras by a sheet. Classy.

Big Brother Six (2005)

The nation sat spellbound as housemate Craig’s unrequited love for Geordie disco dancer Anthony played out on our screens, then sat horror-struck as Kinga ‘performed’ in the Big Brother garden with a wine bottle. Double classy.

Big Brother Seven (2006)

Fiesty, screeching Nikki Grahame was the star of the loud, brash seventh series – but it was Tourette’s sufferer Pete Bennett who walked off with the cash prize. The pair were linked romantically as a magazine deal hoved into view – then mysteriously split soon after. Who could have predicted that?

Big Brother Eight (2007)

The lovable Brian Belo trumped Barbie-girl twins Sam and Amanda (or Samanda) to scoop the money in the eighth series, but by now the public’s affections for Big Brother were starting to wane.

Big Brother Nine (2008)

Trainee teacher Rachel Rice won the show, watched by, um, not many people.

Big Brother Ten (2009)

Glamour model Sophie Reade won – even when pitched against ‘classic’ contestants including Craig Phillips, Nikki Grahame and Brian Belo, who entered the house in celebration of its tenth series.

Big Brother Eleven / Ultimate Big Brother (2010)

The nation was delighted when Josie Gibson finally won the heart of John James and was crowned her the winner. She then re-entered the house for ‘Ultimate Big Brother’ alongside former contestants. Brian Dowling was eventually crowned the ‘ultimate winner’. Not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse, frankly.

Big Brother 2011

So what can we expect? Some shouting? Probably. Some nudity? Even more likely. Desperate grasping for fame at any cost? Almost inevitably.

So will you be watching the new Big Brother, or has it had its day? Let us know below.

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