In a thrilling revival of the iconic reality show, Big Brother UK 2023 returned to our screens last night, captivating audiences across ITV1, ITV2, and ITVX with its 20th series. The show’s long-awaited comeback unfolded on October 8, 2023, and it did not disappoint.
Hosted by the dynamic duo of AJ Odudu and Will Best, Big Brother UK 2023 saw the arrival of 16 fresh housemates who embarked on a journey filled with suspense, camaraderie, and the promise of a £100,000 prize. The inaugural episode of Big Brother UK 2023 was followed by the equally engaging spin-off show, “Big Brother: Late & Live“, which also featured AJ Odudu and Will Best as hosts, along with special guests Kimberly Wyatt, Jordan Stephens, and The Vivienne.
The heart of the action remains at the iconic Big Brother house, where contestants will engage in clever tasks, nerve-wracking nominations, and gripping live evictions. Just as before, the public will hold the power, as viewers will cast their votes throughout the series, ultimately determining the winner of Big Brother UK 2023.
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The Launch Show Games of Big Brother UK 2023
The series kickstarted with some Big Brother UK 2023 party games, starting off with musical statues which Yinrun won gaining the prize of breakfast in bed and she got to choose who would make it for her – going on to choose Jenkin.
Next up was hide and seek with the housemates having to hide from the next arriving housemate who was Matty, the first person he found would be given a punishment; it didn’t take him long to find three housemates hiding behind the island in the kitchen, and he stated that he saw Jenkin first, this meant Jenkin wouldn’t receive hot water for the next 24 hours.
Passing the parcel was the final game, once all 16 housemates entered. Whoever the music stopped on had to peel back the wrapping paper and open the golden box inside, the lid of which contained a question that led to a housemate being chosen and a punishment dealt out.
DJ Dylan lost his bed for the night, Jenkin lost his suitcase – which consequently led to his suitcase being blown up, and then the music next stopped on Jenkin who peeled the wrapping paper, opened the box, to reveal a question asking him who he thought would be the worst to live with – he selected Olivia. It was then revealed that as a consequence, Olivia would be facing the first public vote on Friday.
In true Big Brother fashion, all hope wasn’t lost for Olivia, as after her upsetful first few moments – who wouldn’t be? – she went to the diary room and was told that she could win immunity from Friday’s eviction on the condition that when the housemates rank themselves from most to least entertaining, she needs to avoid being ranked last. In a final note to Olivia, in true Big Brother statements, Big Brother said: “Olivia, don’t be boring”. We’ll find out if Olivia escapes being voted the least entertaining in tomorrow’s episode.
Big Brother UK 2023 Housemates
The return of Big Brother UK has been met with avid anticipation, as fans eagerly awaited the reveal of the new housemates. These 16 individuals come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of personalities to the competition, setting the stage for an unforgettable series.
Jenkin
Age: 25
Job: Barman and cleaner
From: Bridgend
Quote: “I’m not the only gay in the village, I’m the best one,” Jenkin said during his VT. Asked as to why he joined Big Brother this year, he said, “I was bored and I thought I’d do something different, give it a whirl.”
Farida
Age: 50
Job: Make-up artist
From: Wolverhampton
Quote: “I’m very proud of who I am and I feel like Asian women and Asian culture is underrepresented on TV. A lot of people think that wearing a headscarf might stop you from having opportunities, whereas for me, it’s been completely the opposite. I embrace it with confidence and it’s actually given me lots of opportunities. I want to let people know that us Muslims, we really aren’t suppressed. I’m far from suppressed – I used to be a holiday rep!”
Tom
Age: 21
Job: Butcher
From: Livington, Somerset
Quote: “I’m funny, outgoing – that’s where the list ends,” Tom said during his VT. When asked why he joined the show, he said, “It’s just a bit of fun really, isn’t it? Something a bit different from day-to-day life.”
Hallie
Age: 18
Job: Youth worker
From: South London
Quote: “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.”
Trish
Age: 33
Job: full-time mum
From: Luton (originally from Kinshasa, the Congo)
Quote: “I always wanted to apply back in the day, my friends would always be like ‘I think you’d be good in there, you’re quite mouthy’! When I saw it was coming back I thought it was the universe telling me something so I just went for it. Also, because, I want to humanise refugees and immigrants [as I’m originally from the congo], especially in this political climate. I want people to see that behind the stats and figures, there are real humans. We are important simply because we exist, not only when we participate in capitalism. We matter because we are alive and breathing – no human is illegal!”
Yinrun
Age: 25
Job: Customer support agent
From: Harrogate (originally from Shanghai, China)
Quote: “I’m most excited about being surrounded by so many people from different walks of life. I don’t think I will ever live in a house again with so many different kinds of people. I’m from China and I think it will help me be more immersed in British culture.”
Jordan
Age: 25
Job: Lawyer
From: Scunthorpe
Quote: “Well, I love the show. I was quite disillusioned with life so I suppose boredom made me apply to some extent. I honestly applied on a whim. I’m interested in the social experiments side of Big Brother. I don’t really like the idea of living with people but I thought I might as well give it a try. And I wanted to challenge myself.”
Zak
Age: 28
Job: Model
From: Manchester (originally from Thailand)
Quote: “I feel like it’s one of those shows where you can get your personality across and I’ve got one of those personalities I feel the world needs to see. My friends and family have always told me I should do TV and I never really wanted to do a dating show. I want to do a show where I could just be myself and get my personality out there and have a laugh with people.”
Chanelle
Age: 29
Job: Dental therapist
From: Llanelli, Wales
Quote: “Well, I only applied as a joke. Now that I’m going in, I’m doing it for myself, for the experience and to make friends for life. Something that was a joke has now materialised into real life!”
Dylan
Age: 39
Job: DJ
From: Coventry
Quote: “I always like meeting new people and having new hurdles to jump as an amputee. It’s going to be an interesting journey to see if I can do whatever we’re asked without having any problems with staying on my leg for a certain amount of time and doing all the tasks. I’m excited for the challenge,”
Noky
Age: 26
Job: Miss Universe GB / banker
From: Derby
Quote: “I love challenges. I’ve had so many amazing times in my life, like going to Miss Universe as Miss Great Britain. I like to do something different and I think this is the next challenge I want to conquer. I want to show people what pageant girls are really like and disprove a lot of stereotypes around them. I also show what it’s like being a woman who’s worked in male-dominated fields. I want to show that women are capable of doing anything they want.”
Matty
Age: 24
Job: Doctor
From: Isle of Man
Quote: “I want to experience everything before I die, and I just thought why not do something mad like this? I used to watch Big Brother when I was like, 9 or 10 past my bedtime with my mom. I grew up in such a small place on the Isle of Man where I didn’t really see many people who felt like me. I remember watching Big Brother and I could see myself in all these characters from a cross-section of society, and I thought like, oh, maybe I would fit in there. So I just always wanted to apply.”
Paul
Age: 23
Job: Security officer
From: Liverpool
Quote: “I just always watched it with my mum and everyone said I should apply, so I did and now I’m here.”
Henry
Age: 25
Job: Food writer
From: Cotswolds
Quote: “I am actually really looking forward to learning lots of life skills, like learning how to cook, clean, or do the washing. I’m 25 but I’m not an adult. These are some big things they don’t teach you at school that I need to learn. And also just getting to know loads of different people from very different backgrounds that I might not get to meet in my everyday life.”
Olivia
Age: 23
Job: Dancer
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Quote: “I grew up watching the show and I’ve always said if it ever comes back, I want to do it. I just think I fit the brief because I’ve got personality to sell and this is the best place for it.”
Kerry
Age: 40
Job: NHS manager
From: Essex
Quote: “I love the programme. It is, for me, the ultimate reality TV show ever. I’ve got multiple sclerosis and so the reason why I never applied before is because I always saw those whacking great big stairs to get into the house. It just felt a little bit unachievable because, for the first three years of my illness, I was in a wheelchair. When I saw it was coming back and searching for real people from all walks of life, I thought, this is my year.”
Where can I watch Big Brother UK 2023?
The excitement continues as Big Brother UK 2023 airs on ITV2 and ITVX tomorrow at 9pm. Viewers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions, unexpected twists, and fierce competition as the housemates vie for the coveted £100,000 prize. Don’t miss a moment of the action as the nation watches, votes, and ultimately crowns the victor of this unforgettable series.
