THEY say Big Brother is always watching – but I’d argue it’s the Big Brother fandom who really have their eyes constantly peeled.
The vigilant troops are highly-schooled in the reality show’s history and lore and scrutinise every update ahead of a new series.
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It means they’ve spotted a few idiosyncrasies in ITV’s plans – which I can help to debunk.
The first concerns how and where the evictions will take place.
Fans have spotted that the new companion show, The Group Chat, will air Sunday to Thursday – meaning new hosts GK Barry and Kate Lawler won’t be welcoming evicted housemates each Friday night after the booting.
I can confirm instead that evictions will be part of the main show, hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best.
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I’m hearing that the running time of the main show will be extended on Fridays to allow for a full interview to take place.
Another suggestion has been that because former spin-off, Big Brother Late & Live has been axed, there is no studio space for the eviction chats to take place.
I hear from insiders that the plan is that ousted housemates will conduct their exit interviews on the main stage, outdoors, just like in 2025’s Celebrity Big Brother – a decision I felt created an electric atmosphere and made for really impactful scenes.
But with the eight-week series launching on September 13, what happens during October and November’s filthy weather?
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The word on the street is that contingency plans are in place.
The show is filmed on the extensive Versa Studio plot, after all – and the team are highly experienced – so my feeling is we’re highly unlikely to see a gazebo popped over the stage with some gaffer tape.
This year the much-hyped Big Brother eye reveal did not occur during the Love Island final, as it has for the last three years, which sparked rumours that the entire series was running behind schedule.
I can reveal that rehearsals start on Monday – so all seems on track ahead of next Sunday’s launch.
Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best are excited for the series to start, and seemed brimming with genuine enthusiasm when I spoke to them yesterday as part of a launch press junket.
That comes despite their work being cut from 35 shows apiece – including Late & Live – to nine.
Next week ITV will welcome press and content creators to tour the new house and soon the housemates of series 23 will be unveiled.
I’m sure there’s plenty more debunking to come.