Big Brother is Back

......but different.

In what way?

For those of you who are still catching up, BB show bosses have responded to last year's racism row between Shilpa Shetty and Jade Goody by giving the format a celeb-flavoured shake-up.
This time, the celebs are on the outside - acting as Big Brother by setting tasks, controlling shopping budgets and generally amusing themselves. Inside are 12 housemates but - in what many have said is a REALLY shocking twist - they have to have at least one talent!

The new format has attracted the likes of world-famous comedian Matt Lucas, and controversial artists Jake and Dinos Chapman - names you would never expect to see on the real CBB. And the housemates, well - even the fit one has been a Mensa member from age four.

We'll still watch and vote off the housemates but there are rumours that the celebs might be moved into the house at any moment to spice things up.

The month-long show, screened on Ch4 and E4, is hosted by gobby telly stalwart Dermot O'Leary . He has said it will be his last appearance on the show... the success of the new format could determine whether BB survives at all.

Housemates

Amy
Amy is currently studying a BA in Fine Art at The Ruskin, Oxford University, where she won the Geoffrey Rhodes Prize for the highest first-year exam results, and is a multi-award winning conceptual artist working with photography and installations - Amy doesn't paint as she finds it 'too messy'. Amy wants to use her experience in the Big Brother House as a Turner Prize entry. Art is not Amy's only talent; she is also an accomplished musician who plays the saxophone, piano, clarinet and trombone.

Anthony

Anthony is an international boxer who has captained Great Britain's team in the World European and Junior Olympic Tournaments. He won the Junior Olympics in 2004, picked up the Most Outstanding Boxer of the Tournament and was crowned World Under 17 Champion in 2005. He hopes to represent Great Britain in the 2008 Olympics. Training three times a day, Anthony's overall ambition is to become World Champion, but he would also love to become the first mixed-race James Bond. His boxing name is 'Beautiful Brown Suga'.

Calista

Calista is in her second year at Kings College London, studying for a BA with the Royal Academy of Music and began playing the violin at age three. Calista specialised in composition at The Royal Academy of Music's junior academy under David Knotts and was awarded full scholarships to attend Miguel Mera's Film Music course with Stile Antico in 2007, both at Darlington Summer School. Calista has written over 100 songs ranging from full orchestral to cheesy pop. She also teaches piano to 7- 9 year olds, as well as privately teaching violin, singing and music theory. Calista's ambition is to tour the world, write for major artistes, and write vast budget musicals and blockbuster film scores.

Emilia

Roller-skating contortionist Emilia performs as a double act with her brother Victor at circuses around Europe - and for January in the Big Brother House. As renowned performers, Emilia and her brother spend half the year in Germany and travelling Europe with their shows, and they have performed for Princess Anne and Prince Charles. Emilia comes from seven generations of circus performers and has been in training since she was four years old, performing professionally for the first time when she was six. Emilia has a list of work-related injuries that include broken knee, shoulder, wrist, fingers and several ribs.

Jade

Jade has won numerous beauty pageant awards including Miss Essex 2006, Miss Winchester 2007 and was Miss England Runner up. She is just back from competing in Miss Global City where she won the European section and was also awarded with Miss Sunshine Beauty 2007. She has been a member of MENSA since the age of four. Jade won a scholarship to a school for gifted children and recently graduated from The Urdang Academy in Covent Garden where she was also awarded a scholarship for Professional Musical Theatre. Jade is also an award winning dancer. She competed internationally in Artistic Gymnastics and won 3rd prize for most expressive floor routine.

Jay

Jay has previously won the Tyler Media Award for young designers, and has showcased his collections at both New York and Caribbean Fashion Weeks. He is stocked in some of the hottest design stores in Manhattan and describes his range as chic, classic and simplistic. He is constantly sketching ideas and thoughts, and has never been longer than two days without a notebook. Jay is on the lookout for a muse and hopes the House might be the place to find one. Ideally, he'd like to be working for Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs within the next five years.

Jeremy

The first time Jeremy got behind the wheel of a go-kart at the tender age of eight, he broke the track record on his first lap, and since then his life has revolved around karting and latterly racing driving. In 2006 Jeremy was nominated for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year and in 2007 he was named as the British Racing Drivers' Club Rising Star, classing him in the top six or so best young drivers in the UK. Following in Lewis Hamilton's footsteps, Jeremy won the British Cadet Kart Championship in 2000 and has won several Formula Renault UK races.

John

John is the Chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament and was the first teenager ever to be appointed to this position. Although he is only 20, he manages a team of staff, most of whom are in their 30s and 40s. John hopes to run for office next year and is studying for a Politics and Sociology degree. John says one of his main aims in life is to tackle child poverty in the UK. John says he'd like to see a revival and attitude change towards red-haired people in the world and he would also like to show the world that being intelligent and politically active doesn't mean you have to be boring or geeky.

Latoya

Latoya has appeared dancing in over 20 music videos for artists including Madonna, Jamelia and Craig David amongst others. She says she is most proud of being booked as a concert dancer for Mariah Carey, as Mariah doesn't usually use British dancers. Latoya was nominated for Best Female in the 'Dance Off Awards' 2007. She was also a dancer and choreographer for the M.O.B.O tour. She confesses dance didn't come naturally to her but years of hard work made her what she is today and aspires to run her own dance agency.

Liam

Liam started his own business when he was just eight years old, selling web space. He is now Managing Director of his own very successful company, providing web hosting and design services. The company has been responsible for hosting 2 million websites for clients worldwide and Liam has 12 people working for him with a current turnover of £200,000.

Nathan

Nathan was nominated alongside Amy Winehouse, Ne-Yo, Lemar and Akon for Best RnB act at the 2007 Mobo Awards. Having achieved a top 40 hit, Nathan already has a critically acclaimed album under his belt, entitled 'Masterpiece'. Recently back from performing in Japan, Nathan pens his own music and also counts rapping and music producing amongst his talents. Nathan has sung with Alicia Keyes when as a 15 year-old he was selected from his school to interview her. Not content with just chatting to her he asked if he could sing to her and she joined in.

Victor

The other half of the circus act, Victor, is Emilia's older brother and together they are the star attraction at The Palazzo Variety Show in Berlin were they perform a dangerous acrobatic roller-skating act on a high platform. Having won numerous competitions, prizes and trophies in circus events throughout Europe, Victor's practicing involves up to eight hours a day. The contortionist acts he performs with his sister are extreme and carry a high risk - Victor has broken an elbow (which now contains a metal screw), his knee and his fingers!