Big Brother housemates face battle of the bands

The Big Brother housemates were pitted against each other today in a battle of the bands which will see them recreate songs by Steps and the Jackson Five.

Both tribute acts are being led by former members of the original groups, Ian “H” Watkins and Jermaine Jackson, who had to pick their fellow bandmates.

Ian cannily chose Jo O’Meara, formerly of pop group S Club 7, as well as Jade and her boyfriend Jack, to join him in singing one of his old band’s hits, Deeper Shade of Blue.

Jermaine and his group, made up of Shilpa, Danielle, Dirk and Cleo, were given the Jackson Five classic I Want U Back to perform.

They are only able to listen to the full version of their song once and practise their dance routine to a backing track three times before performing later today.

Each group’s leader was told they had to capture the “look, sound and feel” of their band and motivate the others to give the performance of their lives.

It was a welcome diversion for the remaining housemates after Carole’s eviction last night and Leo Sayer’s departure earlier yesterday after an argument with Big Brother about underpants.

Jade reacted with shock when Carole, rather than Dirk, was booted out of the house after the public vote and screeched: “What the f***?”

She then launched into an impression of the A-Team star, saying: “I smoke a cigar, I drink a bit of whisky and then I get lairy. That’s good.”

Cleo said: “They want to keep an agitator in.”

Dirk seemed nonplussed by the eviction result and immediately concocted an escape plan worthy of his former role as Templeton “The Face” Peck in the iconic 80s’ show.

He said: “I have a blonde wig, I have a black outfit. Maybe I could go...”

But it seemed he was only joking as he later slipped into his dressing gown and chatted with Shilpa about the other housemates late into the night.