Who’s in the cast of Big Brother 2026? Meet the new housemates

All eyes are on the Big Brother house, as the hit reality series returns to ITV for 2026.

AJ Odudu and Will Best are back on hosting duties and were there to welcome a new batch of contestants during the launch show on Sunday night.

The new housemates have set foot in the Big Brother house as they aim to compete for the prize of £100,000 over the next eight weeks.

So, let’s get acquainted with the new lineup of contestants as they also get to know each other behind the BB doors…

Who are the new Big Brother housemates?

There are a total of 16 housemates for this series, so let’s get to know them a little better…

Yasmin, 29

From: Manchester

Occupation: Teacher

Manchurian educator Yasmin enters the house as a fan of the reality TV series, claiming that she’s watched the series for years and has always wanted to have the social experiment experience.

So when it comes to strategy, Yasmin isn’t thinking too much about playing a long game: ‘Realistically, I feel like everyone can always see through the people who just want to make it to the end. I’d love to, but for me it’s all about having a great experience – it’s never going to happen again. There’s no strategy and no game plan.

‘I just wouldn’t ever do something like this in normal life. I want to be able to put myself in different situations and see how that pans out.’

Harry, 30

From: Croydon

Occupation: Online fitness coach

Fitness guru Harry is taking a similar approach in his strategy to Yasmin, promising to simply take each day as it comes: ‘There’s not much point [in a strategy] in my opinion. So just be normal, be yourself and whatever happens, happens.’

As to what he’ll bring to the house, Harry is banking on his ability to bring some levity and good vibes to the proceedings.

‘If everything’s all doom and gloom I’ll try and bring people back to reality. So like a sense of a bit more normality. Not taking things to heart so much, a bit more light-hearted. That’s how I hope to be in the house – give off good energy.’

Chelsey, 29

From: Manchester

Occupation: Social worker

Chelsey is looking to bring her skills from her job to the table to help her along in the house, saying: I’ve obviously got the serious social worker side and I’m a really good listener. I’m a good friend. I’m good at problem solving and feel like I give good advice.

‘I think I’ve been through a lot of experiences during my life and feel like I can speak to people. I’ve also got the other side where I love to talk a lot. I love to have a joke and mess about.’

As to what might see her being nominated for eviction? ‘I feel like maybe when someone annoys me I can be quite abrupt. I just say how it is.’

Philip, 53

From: Liverpool

Occupation: Content creator

Authenticity is the name of the game for ‘Scouse royalty’ Philip, who is going to go into the house ‘Queen of Scotty Road, but I’m going to come out as Philip Regan.

‘There will never be a dull moment when I’m there. I’ll always put a smile on everyone’s faces. If I see anyone unhappy, no matter what, I’ll be there for them – whether I like them or not. You’re better being a friend to me than an enemy. I’m a very good friend, but I’m a very bad enemy.’ 

Lynx, 24

From: London

Occupation: Property developer

Lynx characterises himself as ‘unconventional’ and doesn’t like to do what others would assume of him, which made the prospect of Big Brother extra enticing.

He’s also looking forward to a bit of a break from the outside world: ‘It will be really cool to have a full detox. And to get to know different people of different ages, from different walks of life.’

And what is he wins the grand prize? ‘I would give some to my mum, naturally. I’ve also got a really cool business idea that I want to get moving and I think it would be good to invest money into that.’

Charlotte, 18

From: Oxford

Occupation: Student

A quadruple amputee, Charlotte enters the house with a desire to put herself out of her comfort zone and was keen to apply as soon as she was able to.

‘I’ve watched it every year since it’s been rebooted on ITV, and I haven’t been able to apply until this year since I’ve turned 18. I’ve just always wanted to go on it!

‘Obviously, as a quadruple amputee, people are surprised at anything I do, even normal things like cooking, doing my makeup, getting dressed, stuff like that.

‘And obviously they’re going to be watching me 24 hours a day so they’re going to see me do all those things. They’re probably going to be surprised at the most normal things for me, those are going to be the most shocking for everybody watching.’

Pauline, 31

From: Essex

Occupation: Carer

Paulein is looking to be a beacon of patience in the Big Brother house, hoping to help keep any tempers at bay should any tensions arise.

‘I think a lot of time we don’t give each other grace or society’s angry all the time, for whatever reason. But I think the perspective that I bring is a sort of ‘Okay, just calm down. Think about it first, take time, assess and move forward’.’

She has been working as a carer for her mum for the last three years, she does have a past career which could surprise her fellow housemates.

‘I used to be a private investigator – eight years ago. Some of it I can’t go into detail with because it’s classified. But I think you can kind of draw some ideas from that.’

Tays, 23

From: Manchester

Occupation: Streamer and content creator

Tay’s joins the Manchester contingent of this year’s Big Brother housemates with a lot of excitement, and something of a secret.

In a twist for the series, Tays has been given a secret role as a mole for this series with the job title ‘Chief Creator of Chaos’ in the ‘House of Chaos’.

As a fake housemate this week, he will be tasked with convincing the others that he’s just one of them, as the fellow contestants try to decipher who the spy is amongst them.

‘I’m very confident I can keep a secret, and I think I’ll play the role well. I’m confident I can throw them off my track.’

Rochelle, 57

From: Essex

Occupation: Housewife

Rochelle is surprised to see herself stepping into the house, admitting ahead of the show that she applied as a joke, but she’s kene to see what new experiences it can bring.

‘I left home and was married, and this is the first time ever that I’m actually going to be not having him there or anyone with me. And I’m quite looking forward to it. It’s just going to be an experience, you know, no one is going to be with me, which he’s stressing out about.’

As a mum of three, she likes to keep a tidy house, something she can see being a challenge when sharing the Big Brother house with her fellow contestants.

‘I’ll get really angry with it being untidy. If people are untidy, if toilets aren’t clean, things like that. So, I’ll probably be moaning. You don’t know who you’re going in with. You don’t know what kind of people…  I’m quite bossy at home and I drive everyone mad, so I’m sure that I’ll carry it on in the house.’

Millie, 19

From: Paisley

Occupation: Bartender

Millie is looking forward to meeting new people in the house and pushing herself to new limits.

‘People take one look at me and go, ‘oh my gosh, she’s such a girly girl. She’s so ditsy’. But they’re so, so wrong. I’m very, very creative. I play a lot of musical instruments. I’m really good at painting. As much as I am so loud and obnoxious, I also like a lot of downtime.’

With the prize money, she’s looking to both treat herself and her family. ‘I would definitely like to maybe start my own business or buy a house. I’ve got a son. So, I would make sure that the money goes to him and make sure he’s got a good start in life.’

Frankie, 23

From: London

Occupation: Marketing manager

Frankie, on his own admission, is only there for the hot tub: ‘I’m looking forward to spending time in the hot tub. And to be fair, for all the single mums that end up fancying me when I come out.’

Jokes aside, the confident Frankie thinks his personality could cause a stir in the household.

‘I’m quite an interesting character. I don’t think there’s a lot of people like me, so I feel like it’s going to cause a bit of a divide. I feel like some people will like me and some people are going to hate me. But I think I’ll bring a lot of different things.’ 

Enjoy the tub, Frankie.

Samuel, 21

From: Slough

Occupation: Administrative apprentice

Self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie Samuel is excited to join the ranks of classic housemates from a show he’s been watching for years.

‘I remember as a kid saying, ‘I want to do something like that one day.’ A few years later here I am – I’m living out one of my dreams. I’m also doing this for my parents – if I win the prize money that’ll be incredibly helpful.

‘I love the whole social experiment aspect of it so just being able to live out one of them in real time, seeing it unfold in real time will be really exciting.’

Rob, 25

From: Bideford

Occupation: Radio presenter

Rob is switching the airwaves for TV by stepping into a show he’s loved for years.

He’s also a big fan of the hot tub, so Frankie will have some competition when it comes to claiming the best spot in the tub.

It’s even what he plans to do with the prize money: ‘I would get a hot tub – there’s a hot tub theme. Then I would maybe give a bit to charity as well.

‘I think I’ll bring energy. I’ll bring lots of jazz hands. I’m just in it for a fun time. At the end of the day, I just love bringing the good vibes and hopefully if I can spread some joy among everyone.’

Rhianna, 21

From: Chelsea

Occupation: Stay-at-home daughter

Rhianna is keen to make new lifelong friends and really make all that she can from the experience.

‘I’m really looking forward to living with a bunch of strangers – I’ve never done that before. I’ve never stayed in a hostel, gone to summer camp or boarding. I’ve never been in a situation where I have to stay the night with complete strangers and that is really exciting for me. I get to meet people that I most likely wouldn’t have met in my day-to-day life.’

Omar, 21

From: London

Occupation: Jewellery seller

Omar sees the show as a big opportunity to do something that not many people get to experience, and is excited to be ‘a part of something.’

He also sees the prize money as a chance to give himself and his family new adventures, as well as a chance to give back.

‘I’d invest back into myself and my family. I’d like to put it towards some sort of venture that could help kickstart my dreams. I would also like to buy all the kids from my estate school shoes and give something back to my community.’ 

Johanne, 44

From: Salford (originally Los Angeles)

Occupation: Online marketing

Originally from the US, Johanne is keen to challenge herself and be a part of British history by joining something as storied as Big Brother.

‘I think that I do a good job operating as a mirror for people and saying the things that people are afraid to say. I consider myself to be a really good judge of character and to be very direct with people. And I think that people will see that in my personality. I’m not afraid of confrontation. I go into every situation hoping for the best, but I don’t shy away from confrontation.’

Her goal for the prize money is to invest in a cause and business close to her heart.

‘I would start an alopecia line of hair care. I suffer from alopecia. It’s something that happened to me when I was in my 30s. So, I would love to do that. I don’t feel like there’s really a market or brand that caters to those people as far as making really funky headpieces and stuff like that. And so, I would love to do that.’ 

Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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