[Arneldo]

The popular reality TV show Big Brother plans to expand into virtual reality with a new edition in the online world of Second Life.

Endemol will select 15 international Second Life contestants to spend at least eight hours a day inside a specially constructed glass-walled house for one month. As in the real-world version of Big Brother, the contestants will be voted off until only one remains. Contestants must be prepared to spend eight hours a day inside the Second Life Big Brother house for the month of December.

The winner will receive a virtual island within Second Life, worth about US$1675.

Paul Romer, managing director of Endemol Netherlands, said: "Big Brother Second Life represents a fantastic opportunity to amass knowledge of the virtual world.

Second Life was set up in 2003 and has more than 1.2 million registered users. It has its own economy, and the virtual currency can be swapped for real money.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.bigbrothersecondlife.com