Security alert delays Big Brother eviction
The Big Brother housemates were given a temporary reprieve from eviction tonight after a security alert caused chaos at the television studios.
A sniffer dog patrolling the site prior to the show led security guards to boxes in the George Lucas film studios, near to the Big Brother house at Elstree, Hertfordshire.
A police spokesman said the search indicated that there may be explosive material among the boxes and as a precaution a 100-metre cordon was imposed.
The contestants were evacuated from the house and taken to a secure location on the site, programme bosses said.
Police were called around 8pm after the security checks and a bomb disposal team were sent to the site as a precaution.
A Big Brother spokesman said: “There will be no Big Brother shows tonight due to a security alert at the site.
“The eviction has been postponed until 9pm tomorrow.”
He added that usual Big Brother rules would apply while the housemates were in their temporary accommodation.
TV schedules were thrown into disarray after tonight’s alert, while programme makers will now have to reschedule tomorrow night’s Big Brother live task.
The eviction shows, where either Nush, Ray or Gos will be kicked out, will now be shown at 9pm and 10pm.
The 9pm slot was set to be used for the housemates’ live challenge, which this week will see them given an unlimited supply of alcohol.
The task will now have to be rescheduled, possibly to Sunday night.
Earlier, the show’s makers revealed that the challenge would see all but one of the remaining contestants win entry to reward room, which will be decked out as a Irish themed pub.
In what show producers describe as a “special treat”, the room will remain open until Thursday, with opening hours of 11am until midnight.
During this time the housemates will have unlimited access to wine and beer, snacks and pub games.
But one unlucky loser will not be allowed into the room and the other contestants will not be allowed to pass goodies out to them.
In another twist to the task, the winner will be named Head of House, in charge of making decisions on things such as the food budget.
But they will also have to make the difficult choice of who will be next week’s eviction nominees.
Three people will be up for the chop next week.
Housemates will be told the stakes are high before the challenge and what responsibilities they will have.
They will each be given a robotic animal and compete in a race. The winners will be able to enjoy the reward room, but whoever comes last will be barred.
Because the winner will handle the budget, there will be no group task over the next few days. The head also has to choose what makes the shopping list and further duties will be added.
Show bosses hope the new role will add an extra dimension with housemates either sucking up to avoid eviction or prompting a rebellion.
