Prince harry would be the ultimate Bigt Brother guest
Big Brother is back with a very British theme. MARION McMULLEN asks presenters Emma Willis and Rylan ClarkNeal about politics, the royals and what makes a great BB housemate
What’s the thinking behind this year’s theme of the United Kingdom of Big Brother?
EMMA: From what I’ve seen, it looks like the housemates will be from all walks of life and a real cross-section of people from across the country, which sounds like the perfect house to me. It should bring some very interesting situations.
I still love the psychological experiment aspect to BB and I think having all sorts of different ages and backgrounds in there really lends itself well to the original idea of the show. I can’t wait!
RYLAN: We’re saying ‘Welcome to the United Kingdom of Big Brother. That’s our tag line, it means everyone is welcome. I can’t wait to get back to Big Brother because it’s my little home. It’s not like work for me.
The reason why I love Big Brother is that it is real people – it’s not actors, it’s not actresses, it is real people in a house. Big Brother can throw anything at them. All we want to do is see what they do with it. There are loads of reality shows out there but Big Brother is the original, to me it will always be my number one.
Not many shows run for 17 years.
The theme seems very timely. Do you think talking about politics in the house is a good idea?
RYLAN: I hope they do talk about it a lot because I want to see the fireworks. I’m like the naughty little devil in the ear urging them on.
I think that this year, more so than ever the housemates will be more open to talking about their political views and with everything that is going on with the election, it’s very fresh in people’s minds.
EMMA: For me the theme is great. I know that there is some politics in it, but the bit that excites me is the ‘everyone is welcome’ message that comes with the eye this summer. I genuinely don’t know yet what most of the plans are but it’s certainly a good tease for the series ahead.
There’s a corgi in the Big Brother eye. Are you a royalist? Which of the royals do you think would fare the best on Big Brother?
EMMA: I do like the royals. I think any of them would be fascinating but I suppose Harry would be the ultimate. Apart from the fact that he seems like he would be super fun, I also think that you only get to glimpse parts of his personality and to have someone like him in the house, and to learn what makes them tick, would be incredible TV. I’m sure he would come across really well. I don’t think it’s likely though!
RYLAN: I love the royal family. I get all excited about it. If ever there is a jubilee or a wedding or an announcement, I just love it.
I feel like the royals are the Big Brother equivalent of the real world. You know when Big Brother says ‘This is Big Brother would all housemates gather on the sofa?’ It’s the same when the royals say that there is going to be announcement like with Prince Philip. Everyone just gathered on their sofas to hear. That’s what I love about the royals. They’re so in control and at any point they could change the rules and their word is final... just like Big Brother’s word is final.
Is there a particular type of character you are hoping to see in the Big Brother house?
RYLAN: I’d like to see games and mind play. I think if there are pairs, where people feel like they’ve got someone they can really trust or
confide in, then I think we should see more game play.
What TV shows are you currently enjoying?
EMMA: I’ve just caught up with Line of Duty, which I loved. I’m a massive Game of Thrones fan as well, so I am counting down the days till the next series of that.
What do you think of when you think of the UK?
RYLAN: Geri Haliwell in the Union Jack dress at the Brits. That is British to me and is the only answer to that question I could possibly give you.
Looking ahead, what do you think of some of the rumoured names for this summer’s Celebrity Big Brother like Hulk Hogan, Scarlett Moffatt and Gregg Wallace?
EMMA: They all sound good but to be honest we have a great civilian series to go first, so I haven’t thought much about the celeb version.
I’m still campaigning for Ruth and Eamonn to go in!
RYLAN: I think people would like to see what Hulk Hogan is like definitely because he’s had his trials and tribulations.
I would really like to see Gregg Wallace on it. I did Masterchef so I know how Gregg is.
I don’t think he’d like being locked up for that amount of time with people he doesn’t really like!
Big Brother: Live Launch, Channel 5, is on Monday, 8.30pm. Rylan presents Big Brother’s Bit On The Side weeknights on Channel 5 at 11.05pm.