We're keeping an eye on you...

Back to Our Roots!  
01-May-2003

After weeks of rumour and speculation we can finally confirm that the fourth series of Big Brother will start at the end of May. Twelve new contestants will enter the most famous house in Britain, with one triumphant winner emerging £70,000 richer nine weeks later.

This year, Big Brother is going back to its roots. There will be no rich/poor divide, just 12 people living together and getting voted out as the weeks progress. As usual, they will be cut off from the outside world - but with their every move observed by a host of cameras and recording equipment.

The weekly task is also coming back - with a vengeance. The housemates will have to work together as a team on a task that will determine their weekly food budget, and this year there's no playing safe. The stakes - if not the steaks - will be high.

Each week, the housemates will be required to place a minimum 50% bet on the outcome, rather than the 10% of previous years. If they fail, they’ll have to live on an unappetising sounding diet of chickpeas and cauliflowers. Which could have some unwelcome repercussions…

In addition, the housemates will still take part in a live challenge each Saturday night. And, of course, Big Brother will also have plenty of surprises up its sleeve. As the rules state:

"Big Brother reserves the right to change the rules at any time."

There are, however, no changes proposed for the eviction process. Every Monday, each participant will enter the Diary Room and nominate two fellow housemates for eviction. The two or more housemates receiving the most votes are then put up for the public eviction vote.

So forget the frills, forget the gimmicks. This year, it's back to basics. As executive producer Gigi Eligoloff says: "The absolute essence of the show is the people and their existence, cutting individuals off from society and getting them to live together as a community.

"Big Brother is all about character and personality and this year's focus should allow people the scope to reveal who they really are.

"All this and an all-important game to play - just what will people do for £70,000 and what tactics, if any, will they employ to stay?"

But will the tactics - or even the tictacs - work? In the end, as ever, you decide. It's coming soon. Keep an eye out for it...