Big Brother bosses have confirmed there will be a ‘social media blackout’ for housemates when the show returns this week.
ITV has rebooted the iconic reality show – which was previously shown on Channel 4 and Channel 5 – with the launch episode set to air on Sunday 8 October at 9pm.
Ahead of contestants entering the House this year, Big Brother producers have released details of the welfare package that has been created to support them before, during and after their time on the show.
The programme’s bosses said housemates will be required to adhere to a social media blackout – with contestants, their friends and their families asked to not post any content on their individual social accounts for the duration of their time in the House. Before the show begins, the contestants will also undergo respect and inclusion training to set out expectations around use of language and acceptable behaviour in the House.
Presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best – along with the rest of staff and crew on the show – are also being given support and being asked to undergo training for the show, producers said.
Kym Langer, Head of Welfare for the show’s producers Banijay UK, said: “The welfare of everyone involved in the making of Big Brother is of paramount importance to us and the welfare protocols for Housemates delivers robust assessment of suitability to participate, informed consent and support throughout the casting and filming process and beyond.
“The protocols in place for the 2023 series have been carefully considered bringing together the experience of ITV’s compliance and Duty of Care team together with the independent mental health professionals we have engaged and our own in-house production, editorial, casting and support teams.”
Many of the measures in the welfare package are intended to safeguard the mental health of housemates. They include all housemates having to undergo psychological and medical assessments by an independent doctor and mental health professionals before filming and having access to mental health professionals for ongoing support throughout their time in the House.
Contestants must also undergo a mandatory session with a mental health professional immediately after leaving the House
Dr Paul Litchfield, a Chief Medical Officer who independently reviews ITV’s duty of care protocols, said: “The measures applied to safeguard the mental health of contributors to reality TV shows have evolved considerably over the past five years. ITV has worked with the team at Banijay to share expertise and to ensure that current best practice is applied for the 2023 series of Big Brother.”
Big Brother is set to return after five years away with a new set of contestants ready to enter the House – which has some added intriguing features. The reality show's London set has been getting its finishing touches and some parts will be familiar to fans, albeit with an update for the rebooted version.
Aerial pictures of the studio, where Wembley Stadium can be seen in the background, show a giant eye – the logo of the series – surrounding the door to the house where contestants will make their big entrance. The set's perimeter appears to be accessible by canal – suggesting the possibility of contestants arriving – or leaving – by boat.
The house's outdoor area can also be seen, with some intimate seating areas and the return of the iconic hot tub.
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