Doors open for Big Brother 9 housemates

The doors of the Big Brother house have swung open for a new batch of housemates.

Presenter Davina McCall once again presided over the events and gave viewers a tour of the house before contestants arrived.

Early friction could be caused by the two bedroom set up in this year's show. One bedroom is luxuriously fitted with plush beds, the other dormitory-style room has inch-thick mattresses and a stark interior.

This year contestants will need to buy tokens from their weekly shopping allowance for luxuries like hot water and electricity for their curling tongs and hair dryers.

According to McCall this year: "Big Brother means business."

A sign of this is the house jail for contestants who step out of line; for example, those who smoke outside the designated smoking area in the garden.

First to enter the house were Warrington couple Shaun, 42, and Lisa, 40. Shaun, who calls himself Mario the Italian Stallion, once sold a Rolex watch to pay for a boob job for Lisa.

Lisa is a beauty and tanning sales rep. On entering the house, Shaun said: "Let's raid the fridge."

Next in was Luke, 20, who said he wants to change the image of the modern student. He said he likes to wear suits, is not desperate for fame and finds it hard to talk to women because they think he is gay.