Big Brother is back for 2023, and the first 16 housemates have been officially unveiled. The ITV reboot made a grand return on October 8th, taking over ITV1, ITV2, and ITVX. Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best introduced this year’s housemates, starting with 25-year-old Jenkin from Wales, followed by Farida, 50, Tom, 21, and Halle, an 18-year-old youth worker, who is the youngest contestant this year.
Miss Universe GB winner Noky Simbani, rumored to participate, was confirmed during the launch episode. Over the next six weeks, these housemates will embark on the ultimate social experiment with a chance to win £100,000. The games have already begun, with Jenkin having no hot water, Dylan without a bed, and Olivia facing eviction. However, there’s a twist – if Olivia can ensure she’s not voted the least interesting housemate, she’ll earn immunity from Friday’s eviction.
As the 2023 season kicks off, here’s a comprehensive list of the Big Brother 2023 cast:
- Jenkin
- Farida
- Tom
- Hallie
- Trish
- Yinrun
- Jordan
- Zak
- Chanelle
- Dylan
- Matty
- Paul
- Noky
- Henry
- Olivia
- Kerry
Continue reading to discover further details about this year’s housemates.
Kerry
Kerry, aged 40, works as an NHS manager and hails from Essex. She’s the latest addition to the housemate roster.
She expressed her excitement, saying, “I love the show. It is, in my view, the ultimate reality TV show ever. I’ve been living with multiple sclerosis, which is why I never applied before. I always saw those daunting flights of stairs to enter the house and thought it was unattainable. During the first three years of my illness, I was in a wheelchair. When I learned it was making a return, featuring real people from various backgrounds, I thought, ‘This is my year!'”
Olivia
Olivia, aged 23, works as a dancer and hails from Glasgow, Scotland. She’s a part of this year’s lineup for the Big Brother reboot and playfully refers to herself as the “princess” of the household.
She shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I grew up watching the show, and I’ve always said that if it ever makes a comeback, I want to be a part of it. I genuinely believe I meet the criteria because I have a vibrant personality to offer, and this is the perfect platform for it.”
Henry
Henry, aged 25, works as a food writer and resides in Cotswolds. He has a deep admiration for Boris Johnson and dreams of sharing a martini with him, along with his fondness for the Royal Family.
Henry expressed his anticipation, saying, “I’m genuinely excited about acquiring a wide range of life skills, like mastering cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Despite being 25, I don’t quite feel like an adult yet. These are significant life lessons that school doesn’t teach you, and I’m eager to learn them. Additionally, I’m looking forward to connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which I might not encounter in my daily life.”
Paul
Paul, aged 23, hails from Liverpool and works as a security officer. When questioned about his participation in the show, he responded, “We’ll see about that one; I’m a scouser, so we’ll see!”
He elaborated, saying, “I’ve consistently watched the show with my mom, and many people suggested that I should apply, so I went ahead and did it, and here I am now.”
Matty
Matty, aged 24, works as a doctor and comes from the Isle of Man. He was the 12th contestant to be revealed for this year’s show and currently works in the geriatric department, where he has a deep appreciation for the elderly.
Matty’s motivation for participating is quite compelling. He stated, “I want to experience everything before I die, and I just thought why not do something mad like this? I used to watch Big Brother when I was like 9 or 10, staying up past my bedtime with my mom. I grew up in such a small place on the Isle of Man where I didn’t really see many people who felt like me. I remember watching Big Brother, and I could see myself in all these characters from various walks of life, and I thought, ‘Oh, maybe I would fit in there.’ So, I just always wanted to apply.”
Noky
Noky, aged 26, holds the titles of Miss Universe GB and banker, hailing from Derby. She enters the Big Brother house with the aim of demonstrating to viewers that her worth goes far beyond her physical appearance.
“I relish challenges and have had numerous incredible experiences in my life, such as representing Miss Great Britain in Miss Universe. I thrive on doing things that set me apart, and I believe this is the next conquest I want to tackle. I aim to reveal the true nature of pageant contestants and challenge stereotypes surrounding them. Additionally, I want to shed light on the experiences of women working in male-dominated fields, showcasing that women are fully capable of achieving their ambitions,” she enthusiastically stated.
Dylan
Dylan, aged 39 and working as a DJ, hails from Coventry. He is among this year’s contestants and made the decision to amputate his leg after enduring three years of excruciating pain following an accident.
“I’ve always enjoyed meeting new people and embracing fresh challenges as an amputee. This will be a fascinating journey to test my abilities and see if I can successfully complete all the tasks and stay on my feet for extended periods. I’m genuinely excited for the challenge,” he expressed with enthusiasm.
Chanelle
Chanel, aged 29 and working as a dental therapist from Llanelli, Wales, is one of this year’s housemates.
When questioned about her decision to apply, she responded, “Well, I initially submitted my application as a jest. But now that I’m actually going in, it’s for my personal growth, the unique experience, and to forge lifelong friendships. What began as a lighthearted joke has unexpectedly become a reality!”
Zak
At the age of 28, Zak, a model hailing from Manchester with roots in Thailand, eagerly chose to participate in the show.
When questioned about his motivation, Zak articulated, “I believe it’s one of those programs that allows individuals to showcase their true personalities, and I possess a personality that I believe the world should encounter. My friends and family have consistently encouraged me to explore television, and I’ve never been inclined toward dating shows. Instead, I aspired to be a part of a show where I could authentically be myself, share my vibrant personality, and engage in jovial interactions with others.”
Jordan
At 25 years old, Jordan, a lawyer hailing from Scunthorpe, stands as one of this year’s participants, driven by a sense of boredom to apply.
Explaining his decision, Jordan conveyed, “My affection for the show runs deep. I found myself somewhat disenchanted with life, and I suppose it was sheer boredom that prompted me to apply, at least to some extent. I submitted my application rather impulsively. I’m genuinely intrigued by the social experiments that Big Brother offers. While I don’t particularly relish the notion of cohabitating with others, I reasoned that I might as well embrace the challenge and push my boundaries.”
Yinrun
Yinrun, a 25-year-old customer support agent hailing from Harrogate, originally comes from Shanghai, China. Upon her relocation to the UK, she noticed the prevailing politeness of the people.
As for her motivation to join Big Brother, she expressed, “I’m particularly thrilled about the prospect of immersing myself in an environment filled with individuals from diverse backgrounds. I doubt I’ll ever have the opportunity to share a house with such a varied group of people again. Coming from China, I believe this experience will greatly enrich my understanding of British culture.”
Trish
Trish, aged 33 and dedicated to being a full-time mother, originally hails from Congo. She arrived in England at the age of nine and proudly identifies as a staunch advocate of left-wing ideals and feminism.
Reflecting on her decision to apply for Big Brother, she shared, “For a long time, I had a desire to participate. My friends used to say, ‘You’d be a great fit with your outspokenness!’ When I learned the show was making a comeback, it felt like a sign from the universe, so I took the plunge. Additionally, I want to humanize the experiences of refugees and immigrants, especially in today’s political climate. I hope to show that beyond the statistics and figures, there are real people with inherent worth. Our significance lies in our existence, not solely in our participation in capitalism. Every individual matters because they are alive and breathing, and no one should be considered illegal!”
Hallie
Halle, aged 18 and working as a youth worker in South London, is determined not to be treated like a child while in the house. She’s made it clear to her fellow housemates: “Think twice before you act, or you might regret it.”
She admits that her candidness can occasionally lead to trouble, and she’s even been playfully described as a “fiery and outspoken individual.”
Tom
Tom, a 21-year-old butcher hailing from Livington, Somerset, describes himself simply as “funny and outgoing.”
He’ll have his mother’s support during his time in the Big Brother House.
When asked about his decision to apply for the iconic reality TV show, he responded, “It’s all in good fun, isn’t it? A change from the ordinary, a bit of excitement.”
Farida
Fardia, a 50-year-old makeup artist from Wolverhampton, proudly identifies as a devout Muslim and emphasizes her commitment to praying five times a day. In the Big Brother house, she intends to maintain a modest appearance.
Back in her hometown, Fardia resides with her husband and fully embraces her age. Her family back home will be cheering her on as she competes for the £100k cash prize. She’s determined to win the competition.
When asked about her motivation for joining the show, she explained, “I have immense pride in my identity, and I believe that Asian women and Asian culture are not adequately represented on TV. Some might assume that wearing a headscarf could limit opportunities, but in my case, it has had the opposite effect. I wear it with confidence, and it has opened many doors for me. I want to convey the message that Muslim women, like myself, are not oppressed. I’m living proof – I used to work as a holiday rep!”
Jenkin
At 25 years old, Jenkin hails from Bridgend and works as a barman and cleaner. He made history by becoming the inaugural member of the Big Brother 2023 cast.
With a touch of humor, Jenkin declared, “I’m not just any gay; I’m the best one!” during his video introduction.
When inquired about his motivation for joining Big Brother, he candidly responded, “I was feeling a bit bored, and I figured I’d try something out of the ordinary, you know, give it a shot.”
Source: Radio Times