4:34pm Monday 5th January 2009
By Suruchi Sharma
Eleven new contestants entered the Big Brother house last Friday as a new celebrity series of the show kicked off at Elstree Studios.
Crowds descended on the studio, in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, to cheer and boo the contestants as they entered the house.
Borehamwood & Elstree Times photographer John Macdonald-Fulton snapped all the celebrities as they entered the house on Friday. See all the pictures in our photo gallery.
The show returned after a break last year following allegations of racist bullying aimed at Indian actress Shilpa Shetty in 2007.
More than 54,000 complaints were made to television watchdog Ofcom and Channel 4.
The programme, in its sixth season, includes US rapper Coolio, singer Michelle Heaton, actor Verne Troyer, who played Mini Me in the Austin Powers films and ex-weathergirl Ulrika Jonsson.
National newspapers reported last week Ms Jonsson was being paid £175,000 compared to the Ben Adams, formerly of the boy band A1, who is said to be earning only £20,000.
The show will run for two weeks, with the first eviction expected this Friday.
Borehamwood & Elstree Times Big Brother blogger Paul Burton said: “It is always great for Borehamwood when Big Brother comes to the area.
“I’m sure it can be a hassle for some people especially with the crowds it invites but it is great for businesses on Shenley Road.
“I find the hits go up on my website Elstree Calling whenever the show is on because I presume when people come to the area they want to know about it.
“This year’s line-up of celebrities is the best set we have had. My favourite so far are Terry Christian, Lucy Pinder and Michelle Heaton.”
To read the Big Brother blog, go to borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/blog/bigbrother.
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