[James]

Small, ugly, green - and that is just the house - the home for Big Brother's fifth set of contestants has been unveiled.

The house has shrunk and been daubed with uninviting decor as producers aim to raise tensions among housemates, as well as viewer ratings.

After last year's flop, the series will have challenges to make the housemates' experience as hard as possible.

A witch, a male stripper and an ex-prostitute are said to be contestants.

It is hoped a harsh environment and interesting characters will lead to more fireworks in the house.


Harsh lighting, ugly paints and beige carpets await


'Evil' designs

Green walls, stark fluorescent lighting and a beige carpet have replaced the stylish interior designs of previous series.


Jon Tickle became a cult favourite in 2003's contest
Casts of green hands are mounted on the wall by the kitchen while green splodges and puddles feature on the wall in the living area.

Designer Markus Blee was told to create "evil" for the housemates. He also designed Gordon Ramsay's new kitchen for the reality TV show Hell's Kitchen.

The space has also been reduced, with lower ceilings and raised floors.


Reflective surfaces and chaotic tiles dominate in the kitchen

Confined space

As it is smaller, designers made a dining table which can be folded and put away.


Reflective surfaces and chaotic tiles dominate in the kitchen
Producers hope the confined living conditions will prompt the explosion of any tensions within the group.

Executive producer Shirley Jones said: "This year we want to challenge the housemates' preconceptions.

"The house is smaller. It's a lot more oppressive. The ceiling has been lowered in places and the floor has been raised.

"We especially designed the house to make it difficult for people."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/3738483.stm

[James]

Also from the Sunday Mail

...Sunday Mail doctor and Big Brother analyst Gareth Smith says the new Big Brother contestants deserve all they get. He said: 'I think the more extreme, the better. I have no sympathy for those who take part because they know what they are signing themselves up for.

'Every single person is told in no uncertain terms it will potentially mess up their lives, their family and their friends but they all still want to do it because they all believe they are the one who is going to make it.

'Everyone thinks they are going to be Jade Goody and make a fortune or be Craig Phillips and be liked by everyone.'

[Amy]

This is from The People
THESE are the first pictures of the revamped Big Brother house - specially designed to make life grim for the contestants.

The walls are a lurid green, the ceilings are low and the lighting stark to keep tension to a maximum.

Decorations look like bad sixth form art projects. Dozens of casts of green hands are fixed to one wall. Another wall conjures up images of an alien planet.

Space is so cramped that a foldaway table had to be specially made.

There is a pamper room and a bath hut with see-through showers. But even then there's a catch. The tubs could be packed with ice as a punishment.

Even the house garden is a lot smaller than before with no room for for a veg patch or chicken coop.

You'll have to buy the paper to see the pictures!