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CELEBRITIES are to act as Big Brother for the first time in a spin-off of the reality show.

Famous faces will take turns to boss around housemates in Big Brother Celebrity Hijack.

It replaces Celebrity BB – “rested” after this year’s race row fiasco involving Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty.

A spokeswoman said: “Viewers will be able to see the celebrities as they act as the voice of Big Brother.

“In addition, the stars will also help set tasks, make their own rules, and help cause havoc.”

Producers normally voice Big Brother on the Channel 4 show.

This year they will help choose the housemates, and are looking for “extremely talented, but ordinary” people aged 18 to 21.

The spokeswoman added: “The idea is to see how these gifted housemates, who have excelled in the real world, will cope under the guidance of Big Brother’s celebrity hijackers.”

The identity of the stars is not yet known.

The show will air on E4 in January.