Housemates to swim 'channel'

The Big Brother housemates have been set the task of swimming the Channel to earn a luxury shopping budget for the week.

The contestants have to swim the equivalent of the 34 kilometre distance between Dover and Calais in the Big Brother pool.

There must be one housemate swimming at all times and they must have completed the distance between them by Tuesday evening.

In addition, the housemate who swims the furthest will be rewarded and the housemate who swims the shortest distance will receive a punishment.

Charley was first into the pool but she was soon overwhelmed by the task.

“I’m drowning. I’m not exaggerating!” she said.

Earlier, Big Brother told the housemates that they would soon begin nominating each other for this week’s eviction.

The rules for nominating were read out and Big Brother told them that two or more people would face the public vote this Friday.

“This is the first time everyone’s had to nominate and it’s going to be interesting,” Ziggy commented.

So far, only Ziggy, Seany, Gerry and the twins have been allowed to nominate, as Big Brother gave the privilege to new housemates.

Carole, who survived eviction last Friday, was convinced she would be going this week.

But Ziggy tried to reassure the house mum, saying: “I think it’s clear to see what you do here and if you didn’t it would be a mad house.”

New housemate Jonathan added: “If you go I would be the oldest person here and that would be disastrous.”