[LEE]

Spotted this in today's Daily Star.

150,000 wannabes bid for Big Bruv 3

Big Brother 3 has finally been given the green light for next summer - and TV bosses are expecting more than 150,000 fans to battle for a place on the show.

Channel 4 has started the hunt for a new set of contestants to follow in the footsteps of Brian, Helen and Paul in the spy-on-the-wall series.

A special hotline has already been set up for applications which are set to treble.

Producers are predicting meltdown as thousands flood the phone lines in a bid to become overnight stars on the cult reality telly show. Adverts will also go out this week on Channel 4 calling on prospective housemates to apply producers are still thrashing out ideas - and the programme makers insist the third version of Big Brother will be radically different to its two predecessors.

The famous house - which was specially built near Bromley-by-Bow in east London for the last two series -has been demolished. TV scouts have already been combing sites within the M25 area for a new base.

One secret plan is to stage the action in a sprawling country mansion.
Another proposal - first revealed exclusively in the Daily Star - is to split the home into two section comprising a luxury penthouse and a smelly pigsty. Which side the contestants live in each week depends on whether they complete their weekly task.

An insider said: "Big Brother 2 was a huge hit, so the pressure is really on for us this time.

"We want to surprise viewers - like we did this year by springing the 11th housemate Josh on the contestants but we'll need the right mix of people. This year wouldn't have been such a hit without the likes of Stuart and Penny or Helen and Paul." Wannabe housemates are asked to send in an application form and a short video clip about themselves. The deadline is Friday, February 8.

One big change is that Davina McCall is unlikely to return as host.

She has told producers that she no longer wants to be associated with the hit series - and the hot favourite to take her place is Dermot O'Leary.

The hunky presenter hosted all live coverage of the series on C4's digital channel E4 this year - but he is keeping tight-lipped about whether he will play a part in Big Brother 3.

He said: "It's early days and I can't really say"

More details about the next series will be announced on January 5 when Channel 4 broadcasts Big Brother: Small World, a documentary catching up with former housemates.

For details about applying for Big Brother 3, log on to http://www.channel4.com/bigbrother