BB housemates prepare to vote for 'immune one'

Election fever gripped the Big Brother house today, with the winner of the vote for a “head of house” set to be announced.

The all-powerful housemate will be immune from eviction, but will have to order the shopping list, choose when special tokens are used and make decisions on tasks, leading some members to view the role as a poisoned chalice.

Yesterday Darnell Swallow, Dale Howard and politics student Luke Marsden all began their election campaigns, and the winner will be decided by a secret vote among housemates today.

The trio donned smart suits and fetching sashes reading “Vote for Me” before standing behind lecterns for a pre-election hustings.

First up to give a speech was a nervous-looking Dale, who said the group had to “work together”, but “get individual opinions across”.

A calm Luke gave a more statesmanlike performance, declaring: “Housemates, friends, I have now evicted the basic budget. This week, we will not – we will not – we will not go back to basics.”

When quizzed about his relationship with Rebecca Shiner, who he had kissed in the early hours of Friday morning, he refused to comment, stating: “I’m a politician.”

Finally Darnell gave a straight-talking speech, telling the voters: “The house is in a shambles, straight-up. Halfway since we’ve got here, we’ve had two removals, numerous housemates in tears.

“It is broke, it does need to be fixed. And as far as back to basics goes, look around. Have you looked in the fridge lately?”