Big Brother hopefuls descend on Dublin

Hundreds of Big Brother fans seeking fame and fortune auditioned in Dublin today for the eighth series of the show.

Contestants from all over the country descended on the capital to woo judges for a part in the reality television show.

Tony Schumann, who lives in Belfast, was first in line, queuing from 10pm last night.

The 24-year-old Liverpudlian – who hitch-hiked down from the North – was given sandwiches for breakfast by kind-hearted security guards

“I want to be famous and successful and I want a career,” he said.

“I’ll just be myself in front of the judges, but I reckon in the house I’ll annoy everyone so much that after two weeks they’ll all leave and I’ll be left there by myself.

“I’m hyperactive and have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), so as soon as I drink cola or coffee I go mental.”

Tony was joined two hours later by Cork man Ken Moloney, with both sleeping in Ken’s car until this morning.

The 24-year-old truck driver was hoping a striptease would win the judges.

“Everyone knows Cork is the real capital of Ireland and I want to represent the South in the show,” he said.

Cork mother-of-one Stephanie Coleman auditioned dressed in a revealing French maid outfit.

She has the backing of boyfriend Ger Murphy, who will be left holding the baby if she gets inside the house.

“I will miss my little girl if I get in, but it’s a chance for me to get started in a career,” she said. “A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.”

Artist Robert Hawkins, in the capital for an exhibition, was there for the experience.

The US-born Londoner stood out from the crowd wearing a child’s confirmation ring in his nose and grinning with three gold teeth.

“I want to learn about television and what it will be like living with so many people,” he said.

Ronan Carson, 23, from west Belfast, said he hates the show and wants to get in the house to put some life back into it.

The broadband technician was determined to get in the house despite his mother and an elderly aunt claiming they would disown him.

“Big Brother is so boring and depressing,” he said. “Who wants watch people sitting around bickering?

“I’m just going to go into the house and if I find anyone back-stabbing I’ll get right in their faces.

“I’m single, love clubbing and drinking every chance I get, I have no conscience whatsoever about what I say and will give them all a good laugh.”

Dubliner Catherine Mahon claimed she got the day off work for the audition by pretending she had a hospital appointment.

The 26-year-old deli manager hopes her bubbly personality will land her a place in the final line-up.

“I’m here for the craic, fame and fortune,” she said.

“I am a massive fan. Pete was my favourite winner and I loved Bez in last year’s celebrity show.

“I like Jade as well, I don’t think she was racist.”

The audition hopefuls are attempting to follow in the footsteps of past successful Irish contenders, including Dublin-born Anna Nolan, an ex-novice nun, who was the runner-up in the first series of the show, and Co Kildare cabin crew supervisor Brian Dowling, who scooped more than four million votes to win the second series in 2001.

Dubliner Ray Shah, who also finished second in another series of the show, was at the event today working for a radio station.

The latest series of Celebrity Big Brother caused international outrage after housemate Jade Goody was accused of making racist remarks against Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.

The 31-year-old Indian actress was crowned winner of the controversial show after securing 63% of the public vote.

Media watchdog Ofcom received a record number of complaints – more than 40,000 - about the remarks made on the show.

Open auditions to enter this summer’s house have already taken place in Glasgow, Cardiff, Newcastle and Birmingham, with more scheduled in Manchester and London in the coming weeks.