A bisexual Katie Price doppelganger, a squatter who lives on discarded food, a former soldier who lost both his legs and an eye have entered the Big Brother house as the final series kicks off.
The group of 13 housemates, plus a wild-card fourteenth contestant, chosen from a pool of 81 hopefuls, also included a born-again Christian minister and a Beyonce lookalike with a 30G bust.
Contestants learned they had been successful live on TV during the launch programme hosted by Davina McCall June 9.
Seven men and seven women were chosen to take part in the 11th series of the reality show, which is being dropped by Channel 4 after the summer.
Each is aiming to make their mark and enjoy their few weeks in the spotlight with the hope of riches and fame.
As usual the show will have its twists. Unknown to the intake of wannabes, the winner of the series in 11 weeks' time will then immediately take part in a further two-week series featuring stars from previous shows.
And June 9, along with the main 13, a further housemate was selected - by tombola - to secretly take part in the series as a 'mole'.
The extra contestant will be set secret missions and will have to live undetected - despite being dressed as a mole. If he is discovered he will be ejected from the show.
The show started with the 81 hopefuls eagerly standing outside the Big Brother house in Hertfordshire hoping to bag a place in the house.First to be selected was 25-year-old financial sales rep Josie, who ran into the house screaming.
She was shortly followed by 40-year-old Steve (pictured), a double amputee and former serviceman who was injured by a bomb in Belfast in 1989, losing both legs and an eye.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
New season of "Big Brother" in UK includes disabled veteran double amputee
From the intro to a story in The Daily Mail in the UK: