Big Brother producers host first open auditions

Wannabe celebrities are hoping for 15 minutes of fame today, as hit reality show Big Brother stages for the first time open auditions in an attempt to find its next set of housemates.

Would-be participants are being invited to turn up to the auditions to convince the show’s producers that they should star in the fifth series.

Producers of the Channel 4 show, who usually select contestants from videotape submissions, are asking for couples as well as individuals to apply.

A spokeswoman for the show, which last year saw Orkney fish seller Cameron Stout crowned winner, said: “Open auditions will allow those without access to a video camera an equal chance to apply.

“Producers hope the new system will allow them to see more people and a wider cross section of the public than ever before.

“From the moment people get to the venue, the production crew will be selecting them from the queue outside, so contestants will have to impress from the moment they get there.

“They will select which of them get to chat to the producers.”

The first audition will be held today at Glasgow’s SECC arena and there will be one in a different city each week until the end of March.

Auditions will also take place in Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast and London.