‘It’s giving classic Big Brother’: Fans react to the launch of rebooted UK series

Sixteen housemates have entered the (new) Big Brother house. The verdict is in, and – drum roll please – the response is triumphant.

On 7 October, the ultimate social experiment on TV returned to screens with more than 2.5 million viewers tuning in. The BBC reported that two million viewers watched on ITV1 and a further 527,000 on ITV2.

After returning from a five year hiatus, the pre-recorded show was aired simultaneously on ITV and ITV2, taking the prime 9pm slot. The Big Brother refresh gave a glimpse of the 16 new contestants, the casting of which has been celebrated across social media.

One fan said: “The Traitors’ casting producers walked so the Big Brother’s casting producers could run – but it’s a really good cast! #BBCUK.”

Another fan tweeted “someone give whoever did the casting for Big Brother a pay rise asap”.

Someone give whoever done the casting for Big Brother a pay rise asap

— ???????? (@_emilygoldie) October 8, 2023

This was the first opportunity to see the two new hosts, AJ Odudu and Will Best, in action.

Speaking exclusively to GAY TIMES ahead of the launch show, AJ celebrated the rich history and connection the show has with the LGBTQIA+ community: “We didn’t realise how progressive [Big Brother] was, so I’m glad that we’re bringing that back to screens at a time where we see there’s so much confusion [around LGBTQIA+ issues].”

AJ explained how “Brian Dowling was the first openly gay person that I personally had ever seen on screen, and he owned his sexuality and personality. He was truly celebrated, not only by himself, but by the people around him.

“Nadia Almada, the first trans person ever on Big Brother. Again, she owned herself and was celebrated by the housemates and viewing public. You don’t realise how groundbreaking Big Brother is when you consider all of the conversations we as a society are having around the trans community and gender identity. That’s only starting to take shape now, when Nadia was on [TV] like 20 years ago?

“Hopefully, Big Brother can offer the diversity and the stories that we want to see.”

Since the launch show Big Brother UK has continued to trend on Twitter with fans and former hosts quick to react.

Davina McCall, former host of the main show for a decade, tweeted: “How’s it going? I’ve got horrific fomo’”.

How’s it going ? I’ve got horific fomo

— Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) October 8, 2023

Rylan Clark, season 11 winner of Celebrity Big Brother and former host of Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, tweeted his support and said: “Good luck to @bbuk. Have a fantastic series and welcome back Big Bro x”.

Good luck to team @bbuk . Have a fantastic series and welcome back Big Bro x pic.twitter.com/DUDmUrtOgs

— R Y L A N (@Rylan) October 8, 2023

Keep scrolling to see more fans’ reactions.

big brother is back on the air in the uk and the geniuses on terf island are screaming about it "going woke" even though a trans person won in 2004, a disabled person won in 2006, a gay guy won in 2013, and poc have won and been there all along
It's always been diverse dipshits

— Annie☠ (@AnnieSpicie) October 8, 2023

Finding it hilarious seeing people tweeting that Big Brother has gone woke with its casting.

Have these people actually watched the show before. Big Brother always had diverse housemates.

Some people just want to attach woke as a criticism to anything#BBUK

— Paul Maddock (@Lgbt_lawyer) October 8, 2023

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best. I'm glad that the casting of the housemates was diverse, though. You absolutely cannot do Big Brother justice if you don't select a group that represents a cross section of the society the viewership lives in. Well done there, ITV! #BBUK

— ici josh. (@joshandallo) October 9, 2023

Big Brother hasn’t changed they know exactly what they’re doing casting Trish and Henry and I’m here for it #BBLL #BBUK #BigBrotherUK

— CFCcolin ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@CcolinCf) October 8, 2023

mate big brother is giving me everything so far I’m so excited for this series they have smashed the casting #BBUK

— leanne ???? (@biebsobrien) October 8, 2023

Honestly though, it's giving classic Big Brother casting so far. Here for it. #BBUK

— KC (@tuaisceartach) October 8, 2023

I take my hat off to ITV; this diverse casting is *chef’s kiss*. This is the Big Brother I know and love. #BBUK

— Nathan Lomax-Fay (@NathanLomaxFay) October 8, 2023

Hopefully more shows follow Big Brother & start casting normal people again !!!! #BigBrotherUK

— chlo (@chloetighe_) October 8, 2023

more diverse casting, more different lifestyles, more conflict, better tv,,, this season of big brother is gonna be so good i can feel it

— 와우관’s novi ♡ (@honeyhuimang) October 8, 2023

Verdict: Casting very good, Editing terrible and tasks terrible. They need to switch up the Big Brother voice aswell. Decisions were made about it being pre-recorded the WRONG decision. Choices were made #BBUK

— BIG Gay FOLLOWING (@the_BGF) October 8, 2023

Pros: this feels fun, great casting and AJ and Will are perfect.

Cons: really weird editing, quite choppy. Really don’t like Big Brother’s ‘voice’.#BigBrotherUK #bbuk

— Leon Oldman (@leonoldman) October 8, 2023

Out of the Big Brother launch show filming. First impressions…

Housemates – Excellent, casting promises delivered

AJ and Will – 10/10 no notes

Show itself – No different from Channel 5 in general. Everything ITV2 about it is just a lick of paint #BBUK

— bbspy (@bbspy) October 7, 2023

The show may have a new home and boast a “contemporary new look”, but rest assured “the public plays a crucial role, voting throughout the series and ultimately determining the winner.”

The regular series will be followed by Big Brother: Late & Live, where the co-hosts reflect on the episode in front of a live studio audience and celebrity guests.

Big Brother continues every night on ITV1 at 9pm.

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