3:35pm Friday 26th June 2009
By Paul Burton
It is believed that producers concluded that informing the housemates of the death of the popstar would breach rules which forbid contestants from having any contact with the outside world.
Indeed, from what I recall of the Big Brother rules, housemates are normally only informed privately in the Diary Room if a family member passes away.
Tonight's eviction, which will see either Angel or Halfwit evicted from the house, will take place as normal.
I did wonder whether any of the eviction night crowd will hold banners which pay tribute to the popstar. If they did, then this would, of course, be the first that either Angel (who I am pretty sure will be evicted tonight) or Halfwit (Freddie) will have heard of the news.
Incidentally, Harrison Ford's one-time double, Peter Worby, once recalled to me in an interview that Michael Jackson made a visit to Elstree Studios during 1988 when one of the Indiana Jones' films was being made at the site.
Since then, of course, Jackson's brother Jermaine and sister La Toya have both appeared in runs of Celebrity Big Brother (2007 and 2009 respectively) broadcast from Elstree Studios.
You may recall that it was former BBLB (Big Brother's Little Brother) presenter Dermot O'Leary who introduced Michael Jackson earlier this year at the O2 Arena when the star was there to officially announce his comeback tour.
Later, during a guest-hosting slot on The Paul O'Grady Show which took place before Michael's death, O'Leary recalled to the studio audience and the viewers that both he and Jackson had shared a short bonding moment when he asked the presenter if the autocue was switched on and ready.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk