Big Brother returned to ITV2 on Sunday night with 16 new contestants entering the house, though one of them will not be staying for the full run. A secret "mole" has been placed inside with orders to cause havoc among the group before being removed after a week.
Within minutes of arriving, the housemates were told a mole was hiding among them and had been tasked with nominating three people for eviction in the next episode without being detected. Viewers at home were let in on the secret: the mole is 23-year-old Manchester streamer and content creator Tays.
Returning hosts AJ Odudu, 38, and Will Best, 41, presented the live launch show, introducing the full line-up of hopefuls now competing for a £100,000 prize.
The house mole
Tays admitted he does not think he would be able to handle the full eight-week stint in the house. "I think I'll feel bad at times keeping the secret, but I think I'll get into the competitive mode and get the job done," he said.
Charlotte, Pauline and Harry
Charlotte, 18, a student from Oxford, had been desperate to apply for the show since it rebooted on ITV and finally took her chance once she turned 18. A quadruple amputee, she said people are often surprised at her doing everyday things such as cooking, applying makeup or getting dressed, and expects those moments to stand out most to viewers watching her around the clock.
Pauline, 31, a carer from Essex, has spent recent years looking after her mother and lost her father in March. She previously worked as a private investigator but could not discuss details of the job, calling it classified. She said her directness could get her nominated: "I'm a very straight shooter, I'm going to say how it is because I don't feel like telling people lies to soothe them."
Harry, 30, an online fitness coach from Croydon, said he is looking forward to a break from "real life" and hopes to seem more "zen", fearing others might otherwise find him intense. He described himself as a night owl who values his own space but comes alive around 1am.
Rochelle and Johanne
Rochelle, 57, a housewife from Essex, ended up on the show after applying as a joke. Married for 33 years, she said she is looking forward to time apart from her husband, who she said is stressed about her being away without him for the first time.
Johanne, 44, who works in online marketing and is originally from Los Angeles but now lives in Salford, said her only strategy is to be "unapologetically herself" and expects to be nominated for "addressing the elephant in the room". Johanne, who has alopecia, said she would use any winnings to launch a haircare line for people with the condition, including decorative headpieces she feels the market currently lacks.
Millie, Frankie and Omar
Millie, 19, a bartender from Paisley and mother to a two-year-old son, promised to "bring the house character" thanks to her loud, spontaneous personality, though admitted a tendency to be lazy could rub other housemates up the wrong way. She said people underestimate her, insisting she is creative, plays several instruments and enjoys painting despite being seen as "ditsy".
Frankie, 23, a marketing manager from London, said he expects to spend plenty of screen time in the hot tub and joked he cannot wait for "all the single mums" to fancy him. He said most of any prize money would go to his nan, who has looked after him for the past six or seven years, before he puts a deposit on his own home and travels.
Omar, 21, a jewellery seller from London, promised to bring energy "haven't seen on mainstream TV before" and said he does not fit the assumptions people make about him on sight.
Samuel, Chelsey and Yasmin
Samuel, 21, an administrative apprentice from Slough who said he has never had a partner, is looking forward to "building bonds with genuine people". He warned housemates might struggle with his blunt honesty, his tendency to leave mess behind, and his grumpiness if his sleep is disturbed.
Chelsey, 29, a social worker from Manchester, said she has two sides: a serious professional side and a warm, listening friend. She said people often assume she grew up wealthy, when in fact she and her sister were raised in a women's refuge with their mother, and having had her own social worker as a child inspired her career.
Yasmin, 29, a teacher from Manchester, joked that despite holding three degrees she has little common sense. Her mother raised six children alone, and Yasmin said winning would let her make the family financially secure.
Lynx, Rob and Rhianna
Lynx, 24, a property developer from London, described himself as unconventional and said he would rather stay true to himself than go in with a game plan, admitting he is "not too good at lying".
Rob, 25, a radio presenter from Bideford, said he plans to bring energy and "jazz hands" and just wants to spread good vibes. His surprising fact: during a carnival he once jumped off Ilfracombe Pier dressed as an elf, complete with a cardboard Santa sleigh, alongside others who leapt into the water in the same costume.
Rhianna, 21, a stay-at-home daughter from Chelsea, said she has lived a privileged life that included being protected by her own bodyguards, but is going into the house alone. She said her resting expression makes her seem harder than she is, and that no one, including past partners, has seen her vulnerable side. She said winning would let her buy bags for herself and the friends who believed in her, while saving the rest.
Philip completes the line-up
Philip, 53, a content creator from Liverpool, rounds out the cast. "There will never be a dull moment when I'm there. I'll always put a smile on everyone's faces," he said, adding that he would support anyone who was unhappy "whether I like them or not" but warned: "I'm a very good friend, but I'm a very bad enemy."
