The Big Brother house has been given a striking makeover ahead of the new series, which launches on ITV this Sunday, September 13, at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Sixteen housemates will enter the property and be cut off from the outside world for up to eight weeks.
This year's design trades the bright colours and eye-themed decor of previous series for jewel tones and autumnal hues, with dark greens and reds dominating throughout.
A source told the Daily Mail: "The Big Brother house's design is always something fans analyse as they try to guess which twists and turns are being lined up for this year's housemates."
"There is nowhere to hide as cameras cover each and every inch of the house, with only the Diary Room offering some welcome alone time, under Big Brother's ever-watchful eye," the source added.
"With this set to be ITV's longest series of Big Brother yet, it remains to be seen how bosses are planning to shake up the format," they said.
Layout and a telling bed placement
Much of the house's layout follows the style viewers have come to expect, with a garden snug once again offering housemates a spot to escape for a gossip or to break the nominations rule.
The bathroom offers little privacy, with a double shower in full view for any housemate who lasts long enough in the public vote to enjoy a hot wash.
It has been reported that bosses are lining up a string of celebrity housemates or civilian show legends to appear throughout the series, and the bedroom offers a clue. One double bed, placed in the middle of the room, sits higher than the others, making it a likely spot for guests whose stay in the house is short-lived.
The Diary Room has also had a refresh, with pastel tones replaced by oranges and reds to match the autumn theme. The dining table, surrounded by 16 chairs, points to the usual number of housemates taking part, while the cutlery is gold and the kitchen appliances are burgundy.
Hosts hint at returning faces
AJ Odudu and Will Best are returning as hosts for their fourth civilian series, and the pair have hinted that producers have so many twists planned that it will feel like "a new house every week."
The two hosts also addressed rumours that former celebrity housemates could return to the show. Will Best told The Sun: "I'm always open to old faces returning. I think it's fun. And you know, if you bring people in, there's a lot of people with unfinished business in that house."
"There's a lot of people who were amazing characters who are still amazing characters, there's definitely people that we've got to know through doing the spin-off that I think would be amazing going back in," he said. "I'd love to see some old faces go back in. I'm 100% behind that."
New spin-off replaces Late and Live
The spin-off show Late and Live was axed earlier this year and has been replaced by a vodcast, Big Brother: The Group Chat, hosted by GK Barry and former Big Brother star Kate Lawler. It will air Sundays to Thursdays after the main episode, featuring interviews and gossip with special guests and evicted housemates.
Last year's series saw Richard Storry crowned champion, with Elsa Rae finishing as runner-up. There had been hopes that Celebrity Big Brother would also return to screens earlier this year, but it was reported that bosses decided to axe the celebrity format after struggling to attract a high calibre of stars.
Big Brother returns on Sunday, September 13, at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
