[James]

Big Brother comes to Birmingham

Jan 12 2009 by Ben Hurst, Birmingham Mail

A QUEUE of hundreds of wannabe celebrities snaked through the Thinktank this weekend, as auditions for Big Brother took place.

Former contestants Bex Shiner, from Coventry, and Luke Marsden were on hand to offer advice to housemate hopefuls desperate for a place on the next series.

Clutching a lucky dinosaur mascot, colourful Midlander Gary, dressed in a tux, was hoping his ninth attempt would finally see him enter the house. All entrants were told to give only their first names by organisers.

The Smethwick wannabe said: “I really want to be on Big Brother for the experience and for the fame.

‘‘I’ve never missed an episode and think I’d be a great housemate because I’m flamboyant – although some people say I’m really boring. But I think I could win it with my special type of personality.”

More than 500 people turned up to audition at Millennium Point, with many arriving at midnight – nine hours before the doors opened. Some donned wacky outfits in the hope of being noticed.

Green-haired Becca, 21, of Derby, had some very different reasons for wanting to get on the show.

“Lots of bad things have happened to me recently, so I feel like I need a life-changing experience,’’ she said.

‘‘I always vowed that I would never go on Big Brother, I actually hated the show.

“But I think I’d be an interesting housemate as I’m quite a colourful character and strong-minded.”

Mum-of-four Mandy, from Oxford, wore a bright pink cowboy hat, with matching boots in an attempt to secure a place on the Channel 4 show.

But Bex warned that it was not what people wore, but what they said that was more likely to see them win through to the programme – dubbed a freakshow by some critics.

“I’ve seen people wearing Batman costumes and other mad outfits,” said Bex, ‘‘but you’ve just got to be yourself. Former nursery nurse Bex, 21, attended the Thinktank last year where she successfully auditioned for the show.

She recalled: “I came on the second day and when I got through I was so excited. It’s been crazy ever since.”

More auditions are taking place around the country.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/t...7319-22669502/

[WATERS]

Ah, i cant apply till the series after