BB9 FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)                                      Home

Before you e-mail us, please read through the questions below: (Updated early Sept 2008)

1. I know it's on for 13 weeks, but when does Big Brother 9 end?

We detailed the start and end dates of the current series in this article from around a month before BB9 started.

2. Will there definitely be any more series of Big Brother in the UK?

Big Brother 9 is now drawing to a close, but we expect there'll be another series next summer, seeing as the show was re-commissioned some time ago. See this story from December 2006 for more info. Viewing figures for BB9 have been okay, and we're aware that the producers are already looking forward to the 10th Anniversary series, which would take place in 2009.

It's entirely feasible that BB10 could be the last series though, despite the above article saying that the show will run until 2010.

We said some time ago that Channel 4 would probably lay-off the short-format Celebrity versions of the show for a year or two, after Jade Goody messed things up for them in January 2007. Indeed, CBB didn't take place in 2008, but we reckon CBB6 is very likely take place in the new year.

3. BB9 was great, but I think the next series will be better with me on it! So, can I apply yet and if so, when/ where will all the auditions be held?

We always receive such enquiries during the run of Big Brother and particularly when a series ends. However, you cannot apply for the next series – Big Brother 10 in 2009 – at this time.

For more clarification, please read this article, which was published in the final week of BB9.

4. I can't remember who won the last few series of Big Brother in the UK; can you remind me please?

The most recent series – the short-format Celebrity Hijack featuring 'talented youngsters' – was won by a Scottish guy called John Loughton in January 2008. Don't worry if you've never heard of that series though, because it was shown on E4 only and consequently received a relatively small audience.

Last summer's main series – Big Brother 8 – ran for 13 weeks, beginning on the 30th of May 2007 and ending on the 31st of August 2007. It was won by dippy data clerk Brian Belo, with harmless-but-dizzy twins Sam and Amanda Marchant coming second in something of a shock result (press and bookies thought that the duo would inevitably win).

January 2006's short-format Celebrity Big Brother 5 series was won by Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. That series made headlines around the world due to the huge race row which erupted when Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara began bullying Shilpa.

Big Brother 7 – the first series to run for 13 weeks – began on the 18th of May 2006 and ended on Friday the 18th of August 2006 when Pete Bennett was crowned the Winner. The Tourettes sufferer beat 21 other contestants including student Glyn Wise, who came second.

The 6th series of the show, which ran for 11 weeks (previous series were 9 and 10 weeks long), began on the 27th of May 2005 and ended on the 12th of August 2005. There were a total of 16 housemates during BB6 and disco-dancing Geordie Anthony Hutton was the eventual Winner, beating certified geek Eugene Sully to the remainder of the prize money.

We've been meaning to properly archive our stories from all the previous series for a while now, and also publish a chart detailing everyone who's ever taken part in the show. Keep an eye out here/ on our Home page for links to that.

5. Where is the Big Brother House located and are they ever going to build a new one, as-per the rumours?

The current house, the second one used for BB in the UK, is built in the grounds of the world-famous Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The original house, located in Bow, London, was knocked down when programme-makers Endemol couldn't get planning permission for it to remain in use.

It has been rumoured for years that a new (third) house will be built at some point, mainly because the current one causes problems for people living in the nearby residential area i.e. the noise, the crowds of people/ kids hanging around etc. However, despite the continued rumours, this didn't happen in advance of Big Brother 9.

Actually, the current house cost around £500,000 to build so it's unlikely that they'll knock it down on a whim, but it always receives an extensive and costly makeover for each new series. For a reminder of what they did to it this summer, please see this article, but if the Top Bods ever get around to building a new one, we'll be sure to tell you in our Latest News section.

6. Will there be a DVD released of Big Brother 9? Also, I can't find any DVDs of Big Brother series 5, 6, 7 and 8, or the five series of Celebrity Big Brother. Did they produce them?

The first four series of the show had an Official DVD and Video released, but there wasn't a DVD release for BB5, 6, 7 or 8 (notwithstanding the very limited one covering Big Brother 6 that came with Paul Flynn's book, 'Big Brother Access All Areas').

Part of the reason, in our opinion, is that Big Brother 4 (aka 'the series we don't speak of') was a bit rubbish and forgettable. Consequently, sales of the DVD and video weren't great, and when Big Brother 5 featured a highly-controversial 'Fight Night' the following year, it rather quashed any notion that another DVD might be released.

To be frank, we don't think Channel 4 will ever release any more BB DVDs, although it's a shame that they don't do another one looking back at all the best moments over the years – perhaps they'll release something for the show's 10th Anniversary next year? Anyway, it's unlikely that a DVD covering any of the Celebrity Big Brother series will ever be produced, mainly due to the nature of the contracts signed by the celebrities.

FYI, we wrote this story some years ago about a freebie DVD covering Big Brother 5 (sans fight scenes!) which was produced in conjunction with The Sun newspaper. However, we have none left now so we definitely can't send you one. They come up for sale on Ebay every so often though, as do the Official DVDs covering the first four series of Big Brother UK.

7. Where can I buy an item of clothing or jewellery that I've seen a particular housemate wearing during a series? Also, where can I buy the House furniture?

Sorry, but we have no idea where the housemates shop, so we can't help you!

That said, some of the housemates' clothes are supplied to Channel 4 by certain companies before they enter the House. Indeed, some-such companies choose to advertise with us during Big Brother, or we attract advertisers who sell very similar products and want to tell the public about them. So, be sure to pay attention to the adverts appearing on this website when the show is on-air.

The same goes for the suppliers of furniture used both inside and outside of the Big Brother House. Again, look-out for any relevant advertising on the BBO website. In fact, during Big Brother 10 we may turn our (frankly languishing) 'Shop' section into a kind-of directory for suppliers.

Therefore, we invite all official suppliers to get in touch if they'd like to directly promote their goods/ company/ services to a substantial number of Big Brother fans next year.

8. Will there be another series of (Teen) Big Brother featuring teenage contestants? If so, can I apply to be on it?

Almost certainly not. There has been just one series of 'Teen Big Brother' (in 2003), which lasted for ten days and was won by a young guy called Paul. At one point we thought there might be a second series of this experimental show, however that is extremely unlikely now.

So, unless you're 18 or over when the next series of Big Brother starts, you won't be entering the Big Brother House any time soon. Sorry! Should that situation change we'll be sure to detail it in our Latest News section.

In the meantime, please don't write-in asking us how to apply, or even suggest the idea or concept of a Big Brother show featuring just teenagers, a mixture of teenagers and adults, or one with pre-teens as contestants (a similar show was made once and the kids completely wrecked the place!)

FYI, Endemol's Big Brother concept remains, as always, aimed at an adult audience.

9. Can you pass a message on to one of the ex-Big Brother contestants for me, or tell me how to contact them? If not, could you send me a signed photo instead?

Nope. Sorry, but we genuinely can't help you with such queries.

The ex-housemates are often quite difficult for even the media to get hold of, sometimes because they want to slip into obscurity when the show ends. Also, some of their respective agents can be tricky to deal-with. For that reason, we gave-up trying years ago, even though we regularly receive details of proposals which could provide the former housemates with paid work.

Anyway, please don't write and ask us to help you contact the ex-housemates, or to forward-on your letters of support/ ideas/ marriage proposals etc. Soz, but it ain't gonna happen!

10. I'm a huge Big Brother fan; can I come and work either full-time or part-time on the show? What about helping-out as part of my Work Experience?

It's probably not feasible to be honest, as the programme makers usually give contracts to experienced producer/ engineer/ editorial type people, not just fans of the show. However, you would need to contact Endemol with such queries, as the making of the actual show is nothing to do with us here at BBO.

11. Is it okay to e-mail you and let you know about errors on the BBO website? Can I also make some suggestions for improvements to the site?

Of course you can. It's really helpful when people write and let us know about technical problems or grammatical/ spelling errors within the site, although they're rare... or so we like to think!

With regard to suggestions about the BBO website in general, go ahead. However, to be brutally frank, after 9 series and with a busy (non-BB) workload all-year-round, we literally don't have time to entertain blatant criticism just for the sake of it.

Don't be put-off though, as we might finally get around to redesigning the site in time for Big Brother 10. So, feel free to let us know how we can improve the navigation and look etc. Of course, we can't guarantee to include your suggestions.

The FAQ section will change as we receive more of the same questions in the run-up to Celebrity Big Brother 6 and Big Brother 10 in 2008. Please check back every now-and-then.

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