[Dan_]

A source at Endemol, which makes the reality TV show, said despite the controversy the public vote to bring back a housemate has so far received the highest response of any poll so far in the series.

The vote to put an evictee back into the Big Brother house has already raised nearly £150,000 for charity.

"It is a record-breaking vote," the source said. "We have never had a bigger response in this time period. People love a storm but the truth is this appears to be one of our better moments.

"There is a massive appetite for it. In the time we have had it is way ahead of anything else for this series. It has clearly caught the imagination and it is on course to beat everything."

A Channel 4 spokeswoman added: "Big Brother always receives a large number of calls from viewers wishing to comment on the programme and this year is no exception.

"For the first time in the history of Big Brother the public have been given the power to grant a reprieve for up to four evicted housemates to enter the house next door.

"As soon as the phonelines opened following Friday night's show, viewers flooded the voting lines to bring an ex-housemate back in what is proving to be one of the most popular votes this series. Almost £150,000 has already been raised for charity from this vote alone.

"All profits from the phone vote to choose the four evicted housemates will be donated to charity. Neither Channel 4, Endemol or Brighter Pictures will retain any of these profits."


Full article: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadca...1839175,00.html(you have to register)