Big Brother returns: 2.5 million people watch as ITV launch show divides opinion

Image source, Shutterstock/ITV

By Ian YoungsEntertainment and arts journalist

More than 2.5 million people watched 16 contestants enter the Big Brother house as the reality show returned. on British television for the first time in five years.

The series transferred to ITV, and the new generation of housemates immediately took part in a "hanging rack". with games that had unexpected consequences.

Jenkin, 25, had his suitcase explode and lost access to hot water during a day.

The launch received mixed reactions: the Telegraph called it "fun", but the Times said it looked "like a fossil 2000s."

AJ Odudu and Will Best are the new hosts, but some viewers have compared them unfavorably to previous eras of Davina McCall and Emma Willis.< /p>

Davina posted on X during the first episode on Sunday: "How are you? I have horrible fomo [fear of missing out]."

Big Brother transformed British television when it debuted on Channel 4 in 2000, before moving to Channel 4. 5 and finally deleted in 2018.