Where you’ve seen Big Brother’s stars before – from other TV shows to OnlyFans and adverts | The Sun

BIG Brother returned to our screens after a five-year hiatus with a brand new cast.

One of the reasons the reality show was such a hit since its launch 23 years ago was that it was a social experiment that focussed on a group of regular everyday people.

Unlike many reality shows today, the original Big Brother didn't hand-pick influencers, models, footballers or the sons or daughters of celebrities.

Ahead of the show's launch this year, bosses insisted they banned influencers from the show and looked for normal people.

A source told The Mirror: "Bosses have chosen contestants with a genuine innocence to the world of fame, who are wholly authentic and with wide-ranging opinions.

"They want to capture the spark that made it a huge success initially."

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Around 18,000 people applied to be on the show this year, but only 16 of them were given the green light.

While for most of them, it's their first time on national TV, some of the participants have been in the public eye before.

Let's take a look at this year's housemates – and you may recognise a few faces.

Farida

She wants to take part in Big Brother to show viewers that Muslim women aren't suppressed.

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Farida said: "I'm very proud of who I am and I feel like Asian women and Asian culture is underrepresented on TV.

"A lot of people think that wearing a headscarf might stop you from having opportunities, whereas for me, it's been completely the opposite.

"I embrace it with confidence and it's actually given me lots of opportunities. I want to let people know that us Muslims, we really aren't suppressed. I'm far from suppressed – I used to be a holiday rep!"

Big Brother is in fact Farida's third TV show.

She has been on Come Dine With Me, where her goal was to "immerse her guests in authentic Indian culture."

Speaking on the show back in 2009 she said that she is a "people person".

She served her three-course meal on the floor – as per Indian tradition.

"For some of these guests, this might actually be the first experience of actually enjoying a meal on the floor," she told the camera as she prepped the floor with pillows and a rug.

"I think they are going to be in for a shock."

One of the guests arrived with bottles of booze, and Farida thanked him for his kindness but said that her dinner would be alcohol-free.

She also got her guests to dress in traditional Indian dress.

As well as showing off her cooking skills on TV, she also appeared on Blankety Blank last week.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one eagle-eyed viewer wrote: "Farida was on Blankety Blank last week #BBUK."

While another penned: "Is that Farida the same make-up artist who was on Blankety Blank the other week?#BBUK."

A third wrote: "Farida does Make-Up on Tik Tok…..She was also on Blankety Blank Not Long Ago…#BBUK." While a fourth said: "Wasn’t Farida just on Blankety Blank like 2 weeks ago???? #BBUK"

Olivia

Olivia, 23, is a dancer from Glasgow.

She has a fear of jam and admits she'll "wind people up" when she gets hangry.

Olivia said: "I'm the type of person who is up for anything. I'm the life and soul of the party. I’m that friend who people invite to things
because at least I'll be fun.

"They know that they're guaranteed a good night if I'm there."

Olivia featured in a TikTok episode of Rate My Takeaway, which sees influencer Danny Malin try out a takeaway in Glasgow.

She was working behind the counter at the burger joint in the city.

Danny asked for her recommendation on what to order, so she took him through the menu.

"It’s Olivia from BB," one fan wrote.

Isn’t that Olivia BB?" another added.

Tagging Olivia in her comment, a third wrote: "your about to go viral again"

Kerry

Kerry, 40, from Essex is an NHS manager.

While she's been an avid viewer for years, she previously felt unable to apply for one heartbreaking reason.

She explained: "I've got multiple sclerosis and so the reason why I never applied before is because I always saw those whacking great big stairs to get into the house."

Kerry, who uses a walking stick, continued: "It just felt a little bit unachievable because for the first three years of my illness I was in a wheelchair.

"When I saw it was coming back and searching for real people from all walks of life, I thought, 'This is my year.'"

Kerry is no stranger to TV though as 16 years ago she tried her luck on Deal or No Deal winning £35,000 in the process.

Her episode can be chalked down as a classic, not only because of the banter Kerry had with host Noel Edmonds, but because the studio suffered a power cut mid game.

As Kerry expertly said her piece to camera ahead of the break, the studio was plunged into darkness prompting gasps from the audience.

Noel said: "Well, here's a first for us. We've obviously had a power problem here in the dream factory.

"Kerry, I'm so sorry. We have a procedure which we will now follow because we don't know how long this is going to be."

As well as the game show, Kerry also made an appearance alongside Adele on a skit for Adele at The BBC.

Kerry was part of a group of women who were auditioning to be an Adele impersonator.

Little did the hopeful singers know that Adele was actually in disguise, hoping to pass as a fellow impersonator.

Chatting backstage, Kerry said: "So when she's in the Royal Albert Hall, she decides that she wants to take her shoes off because they really hurt.

"So if my feet hurt, I'm going to take them off – is that fair girls?" she asked – to which Adele gave her the thumbs up.

Kerry blew viewers away with her rendition of "Make You Feel My Love".

As the real Adele took to the stage, Kerry nudged one of the other women and said: "That's her!"

Paul

Paul, 23, from Liverpool is a security officer – however, he's got a cheeky side.

X-rated videos and pictures from his OnlyFans site circulating online.

Viewers shared their shock on X – formerly Twitter – after almost immediately Paul's OnlyFans content leaked during Big Brother's launch.

One said: "Why have I just seen Paul’s only fans all over my feed at 7:30am?"

Another viewer wrote online: "Paul onlyfans content just leaked this is a MESS lmao"

As well as stripping naked he's also seen having sex with an unidentified woman on OnlyFans, which allows people to pay to see explicit images.

Big Brother producers asked Paul to describe himself before entering the house alongside 15 others, and he said: "Extroverted to say the least."

As he entered the house he added: "I'm the party starter, I used to work in a club.

"I was known as the hype man. I also fight and I'm looking to turn professional in boxing."

He didn't mention his other means of making money, but he did reference the fact he likes a lot of sex.

Zac

Zac, 28, from Manchester is a model and has worked for some huge brands.

He has worked for a number of high profile brands including Asos and BoohooMan.

Zak can be seen posing in one black and white snap, wearing a logo print tank top and a pair of jeans.

He smoulders at the camera and puts his heavily tattooed arms on display.

One fan shared the shot on their X account and wrote: "If you’ve ever shopped at ASOS or BoohooMan. You'll recognise Zak."

Despite his modelling career, life hasn't always been as glam as it is now.

Having grown up in a Thailand jungle, living in the Big Brother house will be worlds away from his roots.

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