Big Brother is back, and this year’s housemates have already been given plenty to talk about.
The 2026 series launched on ITV2 and ITVX on Sunday, September 13, with AJ Odudu and Will Best returning to welcome a new group of contestants into the house. The series will run for eight weeks, making it the longest edition since the ITV revival, with nominations, tasks and live evictions expected to shape the competition.
There are 16 contestants in the launch line-up, ranging from an 18-year-old student to a 57-year-old housewife. Their backgrounds are just as varied, with the cast including a social worker, teacher, fitness coach, property developer, radio presenter, content creator and jewellery seller.
But one contestant arrived with a job beyond simply surviving the house.
Rhianna, 21

Photo: Matt Frost/ITV
The Chelsea-based stay-at-home daughter has already attracted attention because of her privileged upbringing. Rhianna has spoken about wanting to challenge assumptions people make about her and believes her appearance can make her seem less approachable than she really is.
She says she wants to prove she can stand on her own, with winning the prize giving her a chance to become financially independent.
Harry, 30

Photo: Matt Frost/ITV
Croydon fitness coach Harry describes himself as someone who enjoys meeting people but also needs his own space. He is a self-confessed night owl, which could become an issue in a house where sleep schedules rarely stay predictable.
His approach is to take things as they come rather than arrive with an elaborate plan.
Charlotte, 18

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The youngest housemate is Oxford student Charlotte, who is a quadruple amputee.
Charlotte has spoken openly about how people can be surprised when she does everyday things such as cooking, getting dressed or doing her make-up. Entering the house gives viewers a chance to see her life beyond assumptions about disability.
If she wins, she has a practical reason for wanting the prize money: her prosthetic legs can cost around £25,000 each.
Johanne, 44

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Originally from Los Angeles and now living in Salford, Johanne works in online marketing.
She says she intends to be herself in the house and is unlikely to ignore uncomfortable conversations. Her personal experience with alopecia has also influenced what she would do with the prize money, with plans to create a haircare line aimed at people living with the condition.
Omar, 21

Photo: Matt Frost/ITV
London jewellery seller Omar wants to challenge the assumptions people make about him.
He says he does not fit the stereotype some people may attach to his appearance and hopes the show will allow viewers to see more of his personality.
His plans for the prize are equally personal. Omar wants to invest in himself and his family, while helping children from his estate with school shoes.
Philip, 53

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Liverpool content creator Philip is one of the oldest contestants this year and is not expecting to sit quietly in the background.
He describes himself as a loyal friend but someone who will confront people when necessary. With 24-hour scrutiny and limited privacy, his direct approach could prove useful or become a source of friction.
Pauline, 31

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Essex carer Pauline has an unusual background outside the house. Before becoming a carer, she worked as a private investigator.
She describes herself as direct and says she is not interested in telling people what they want to hear simply to avoid confrontation. Her caring responsibilities have also shaped her decision to take on the experience.
Tays, 23

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Tays is the contestant with a secret.
The Manchester streamer and content creator entered the house as part of a launch-night twist after taking part in the pre-series Big Brother dry run with the Bov Boys. He has been given a mission to operate as the show’s mole, keeping his real role secret from the other contestants.
His task is to create chaos while avoiding detection. He is expected to remain in the house for only a week.
Rochelle, 57

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Essex housewife Rochelle applied for Big Brother almost as a joke and ended up making the cast.
After 33 years of marriage, she has described the experience of living away from her husband as something she is actually looking forward to. At 57, she is also the oldest housemate in this year’s line-up.
Millie, 19

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Paisley bartender Millie is entering the house at just 19 and is already a mum to a two-year-old son.
She describes herself as loud and spontaneous but says there is more to her than the “girly girl” impression people might initially have. She also has a creative side, including playing musical instruments and painting.
Frankie, 23

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London marketing manager Frankie appears to have no intention of taking himself too seriously.
He has joked about spending time in the hot tub and has made it clear that he expects plenty of attention in the house. Beneath the bravado, however, his prize-money plans are focused on his family, particularly his grandmother, with whom he has lived for several years.
Samuel, 21

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Administrative apprentice Samuel from Slough says honesty is one of his defining traits.
He has never had a partner and is hoping to build genuine friendships inside the house. His biggest potential weakness may be domestic life, as he admits he can leave a mess behind and does not react well when his sleep is disturbed.
Chelsey, 29

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Manchester social worker Chelsey has a personal reason for choosing her career.
She spent part of her childhood living in a women’s refuge with her mother and sister and later became a social worker herself. She says having experienced support from a social worker when she was younger helped inspire her career choice.
Yasmin, 29

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Teacher Yasmin, also from Manchester, has three degrees but jokes that academic qualifications have not necessarily given her common sense.
Her family is central to her motivation for entering the competition. If she wins, she wants to help her mother, who raised six children as a single parent.
Lynx, 24

Photo: Matt Frost/ITV
London property developer Lynx says he is not entering the house with a detailed game plan.
Instead, he wants to remain himself and avoid becoming trapped by a strategy. His admission that he is not particularly good at lying could become significant once nominations and alliances begin to take shape.
Rob, 25

Photo: Matt Frost/ITV
Bideford radio presenter Rob plans to bring plenty of energy to the house.
He describes himself as someone who enjoys entertaining people and wants to make the experience fun. His unusual claim to fame includes jumping into the water from Ilfracombe Pier dressed as an elf during a carnival event.
With such a mixed cast, the early question is less about who looks like an obvious winner and more about who can adapt once the introductions are over.
The house has also been redesigned for the new series, with colourful communal spaces and a new Diary Room set-up. Producers have promised unexpected twists and high-stakes nominations, while the new companion show, Big Brother: The Group Chat, replaces Late & Live and is hosted by former winner Kate Lawler and GK Barry.
For the housemates, however, the real test has now begun. Sixteen strangers have moved in, but only one can leave with the prize.
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