[James]

This is interesting...

BIG BRO 5 TAKES AUDITION ON ROAD

Jan 31 2004

BIG Brother bosses are to hold open auditions for the first time.

The search for contestants to appear in Big Brother 5 will start in Glasgow next month.

And in another first for the UK series, the auditions will be open to couples.

With partners in the house, it's expected the long-waited first televised Big Brother bonk is inevitable.

A spokeswoman for the show denied the new format was because Big Brother 4, which was won by Scot Cameron Stout, was panned for being dull.

She said: ''Every year we change it.

''We wanted to do something different and try to cast the net wider.''

In the past, hopeful house mates have had to send in audition tapes which were then whittled down to the final contestants.

The spokeswoman said that applicants for previous shows may have been put off by having to fill in forms or make videos.

She added: ''By doing these auditions, more people can apply and a wider slice of the nation can be seen.''

Starting on Valentine's Day at Glasgow's SECC, Big Brother will tour the country.

Auditions will also be held in Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast and London, finishing on March 14.

Applicants must then make their case for being chosen for the next series.

The spokeswoman claimed there had been no decision as to whether the auditions will be filmed and later screened before Big Brother 5 begins in the summer, most likely between May and July.

An appeal for contestants will be broadcast tonight on Channel 4 before the first audition date in Glasgow.

The open auditions will all start at 9 am.

Further information will be available on the web site channel 4.com/big brother.

Daily Record article


I think this is a good idea, people are probably put off from applying because of the length of the application form.

It could result in a more interesting group.