[Kaz]

Wow - the news is coming thick and fast just now! Things are really starting to move.

New Big Brother rules - 'three strikes and you're out'

The contestants in Big Brother 3 will face a strict set of rules when they nominate housemates for eviction.

They will have to give "adequate reasons" for their choice of two nominees.

Failure to do so will result in a warning from Big Brother - with three warnings meaning eviction.

Contestants will also risk an official warning if they discuss their diary room conversations with other housemates.

Much tighter restrictions on personal belongings have also been introduced this year.

Musical instruments, games and books can't be taken into the house, but can potentially be earned by completing mini-tasks set by Big Brother.

Only one magazine per person will be allowed, but the contestants will be able to take in up to six bottles or cans of beer or two bottles of wine.

Big Brother 3 is due to start at the end of May.

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This sounds fascinating!

NO musical instruments, games or books - what on earth are they going to do before they get a mini-task to win them?

Glad to hear about the adequate reasons for nominations, though - I got extremely fed up hearing 'I didn't gel so much with them'.

Your views?

[BigSister]

I am also glad Kaz that they are notallowed to give bad reason s like "I didnt gel with them"

But i thought they were a bit stingy with not allowed to take in a musical intrument,Thats part of the fun

[Kaz]

True, BigSister - but who needs a musical instrument when you've got a heated outdoor swimming pool!

However, perish the thought if Dean hadn't been allowed to take in his guitar for BB2 - we would never have heard the wonderful 'Delux' then.

[James]

I'm not surprised at the book and games ban: doesn't make for very interesting TV.

Am a bit surprised at the no musical instruments rule though.

Maybe they want to discourage any wannabe pop stars.

[kaphc]

I guess if they ban more items, it gives more chance for people to win things that are important to them in the tasks.

I would like to see something like on Survivor where they have to do a task and if they succeed, they can each have their nominated luxury item.

Also, maybe they will be given musical instruments for a task .....??

[mcginn]

the ban maybe good but will they get to bord and fall asleep all the time:w avey:: dazzler:

[Ig]

I think you're right Mcginn. A ban on books and games may seem like a good idea but it's bound to lead to people nodding off all over the place!!

The no music rule will be a bit of a pain too, a lot of people count the Dinner Party Night of BB2 as one of the best of all, with all the housemates sat around drinking and singing along to Dean's guitar until the wee small hours!

One rule I hope they've left out this year is the discussion of previous BB contestants. I found it very strange, unrealistic and completely unnatural that no-one discussed the previous housemates in the early stages of BB2. They later started to ignore that rule occasionally, but a few were pulled up on it. I can appreciate that the producers want each series to be completely different but there are bound to be contrasts and comparisons made which WOULD make for interesting viewing.

[WILDCHILD]

I agree with mcginn and Ig about the music - natural instruments are a good idea. I can understand the producers banning cd players and mini discs and all that but i dont think a guitar is gonna do much harm and boost ratings by gettin rid of them!

[susieq]

One rule I hope they've left out this year is the discussion of previous BB contestants.

I'm sure I read somewhere that this is definitely a 'warning' offence. Don't seem the harm myself but then I don't make the rules.

I'm with the majority though about the musical instruments. Couldn't now imagine the nights without Dean playing his guitar and P & H getting lovey-dovey to "Deluxe". Helen's little trembling lip when she asked him to play it after Paul was evicted - bless.