Elstree Calling

An unofficial website dedicated to Elstree Studios

 
Big Brother 11 eye. Image: © Remarkable/Endemol UK/Channel 4 
 
Big Brother Feature:
 
Introduction:
 
The UK version of the game show Big Brother started in the summer of 2000. In 2002, the show moved to Elstree Studios (then known as Elstree Film & TV Studios) and has been based there ever since.
 
In this special feature I take a look at some of the facts connected with the show and give information on where you can find out further information, including how to obtain free tickets to the eviction night broadcasts and the spin-off shows, BBLB (Big Brother's Little Brother), Celebrity Big Brother's Little Brother (CBBLB), BBBM (Big Brother's Big Mouth) and CBBBM (Celebrity Big Brother's Little Brother).
 
Big Brother - Latest News Headlines:
  • Big Brother 11 is currently taking place at Elstree Studios and runs until Tuesday 24th August 2010.
  • An Allstars version of Big Brother is set to begin on Tuesday 24th August 2010 and run for approximately two weeks.
  • The final of Celebrity Big Brother 7 saw Alex Reid crowned as the series winner.
  • The final of Big Brother 10, which saw Sophie Reade, 20, crowned as winner, took place at Elstree Studios on Friday 4th September 2009.
  • It has been confirmed that Channel 4 is not renewing its contract with Remarkable/Endemol UK to broadcast the series after the summer of 2010.
  • It has been reported that the new owner of Channel 5 is set to be interested in buying the rights to broadcast Big Brother.
  • Please click here to read a feature on where the Big Brother house is situated.
Big Brother - Facts & Figures:
 
Here are some interesting facts you may or may not know about the UK version of Big Brother:
  • Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother in the UK are both currently made by Remarkable/Endemol UK for Channel 4 & E4.
  • BB11 is set to be the last run of the reality show to be shown on Channel 4 & E4.
  • The Big Brother house is situated on top of the one surviving exterior studio water tank (click here to see feature).
  • The water tank on which the Big Brother house is situated has been used for various films including Moby Dick and The Dam Busters (click here to see feature).
  • The Big Brother house stands close to where the exterior set for the Overlook Hotel was built for the film The Shining (click here to see feature).
  • To date, there have been nine main runs of Big Brother (inc. BB11), five Celebrity editions of Big Brother (including Celebrity Big Brother 7) and one run of Celebrity Hijack made at Elstree Studios.
  • Big Brother, BBLB (Big Brother's Little Brother), Celebrity Big Brother and CBBLB (Celebrity Big Brother's Little Brother) are all made in Stage 1 of The George Lucas Stage complex at Elstree Studios. The stage complex is situated close to the house.
  • Efourum, BBBM (Big Brother's Big Mouth), Celebrity Big Brother's Efourum and CBBBM (Celebrity Big Brother's Big Mouth) were all broadcast from an adapted Workshop 2 at Elstree Studios. 
  • Between BB8 and CBB7, Big Brother's Big Mouth and Celebrity Big Brother's Big Mouth were all broadcast from an adapted Workshop 1.
  • Since BB11, BBBM (Big Brother's Big Mouth) has been broadcast from Stage 1, which is part of The George Lucas Stage complex. 
  • Permission has been granted to allow the Big Brother house to remain at Elstree Studios until the end of 2010.
  • Most of the housemates' shopping is purchased from the Tesco's supermarket next door to the studios. This branch of Tesco's stands on a piece of land which used to belong to the studios (click here to see feature).
  • The makers of the CBB6 are said to have spent £150,000 on fireworks and champagne for the finale night.
Page last updated: Tuesday 17th August 2010