Viewers promised 'best Big Brother yet'

The new series of Big Brother kicks off tonight with bosses promising it will be the best yet.

Viewers will be introduced to the 12 housemates in a live launch show.

After the last series proved a flop, this one has been spiced up with the theme Big Brother Gets Evil.

The house has been deliberately designed to make the contestants’ lives as tough as possible.

The space is smaller, the walls are painted a lurid green and the furniture is uncomfortable.

In a bid to give the housemates even less privacy than previous years, the toilet and shower have glass walls.

Producers are hoping the claustrophobic atmosphere will provoke a string of rows among the housemates.

Last year ratings were poor because the show was deemed dull.

Executive producer Shirley Jones said: “This year we want to challenge the housemates’ preconceptions. The house is smaller. It’s a lot more oppressive. The ceiling has been lowered in places and the floor has been raised. We especially designed the house to make it difficult for people.”

Big Brother bosses have also chosen 12 housemates they think will clash from the start. They were rumoured to include a stripper, a former asylum seeker and two lesbians.

But the producers are also hoping for some raunchy action during this year’s show. The housemates will share a single bedroom kitted out with two double beds.

The fifth series of the Channel 4 show will again be hosted by Davina McCall.

Coverage kicks off at 8pm tonight with an hour-long Big Brother’s Little Brother, presented by Dermot O’Leary, which will show highlights from the auditions.

That will be followed by the last episode of Friends at 9pm and the live show at 10pm.

Channel 4 bosses are hoping the combination of the Friends finale and Big Brother launch will give them one of their best Friday night ratings ever.