Big Brother hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best have urged viewers to treat the housemates with respect when the programme premieres.
Tonight marks the return of one of the nation’s favourite reality contests, following the final series broadcast in 2018 before it was cancelled.
The revival will definitely bring back many viewers from throughout the UK, as a fresh crop of participants join the renowned Big Brother House with the possibility of becoming instant sensations.
In a social media video produced before of the reboot’s premiere, co-hosts AJ and Will warned fans not to make any unpleasant remarks online, since it may have a very detrimental influence on the housemates.
‘Please do remember that all of our housemates are real people with their real lives,’ AJ, 35, said.
‘If you wouldn’t say anything to them in person, please watch out what you say to them online.’
Will, 38, added: ‘We all just want to be fair and kind to everybody, and that way we can all enjoy this series together and we can support our housemates on the show and beyond.’
His co-presenter then added: ‘Let’s make this the most positive series yet and give all of the housemates the respect that you would wish for if you were a housemate too. Is that a deal?’
ITV revealed earlier this month that new duty of care guidelines had been implemented for Big Brother contestants.
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The procedures were created in collaboration with the show’s producers, Banijay UK, and involve the housemates getting mental health treatment prior to, during, and after their time on the programme.
The contestants will be counselled on the potential benefits and drawbacks of participating, and their social media accounts will be deactivated, much as they were for the islanders on the most recent series of Love Island.
Members of the editing and production teams, as well as the show’s care staff, will be trained in mental health first aid, respect, and inclusivity, and the participants’ well-being will be monitored “24 hours a day.”
Big Brother launches tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITV2.
