BRITAIN:The eighth series of Big Brother kicked off last night with 11 women contestants that included identical twins, a former lap dancer, a member of the Women's Institute and a female cousin of a Premiership soccer player.
Other members of the new-look house at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire are a political protester and the show's oldest participant.
The 14-week series began with a televised apology over the Celebrity Big Brother race row. Media watchdog Ofcom ordered Channel 4 to say sorry over its handling of the scandal, which prompted more than 45,000 viewers to complain about the treatment of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty by Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara.
Channel 4 has updated the house rules, warning against bullying and making clear that it is unacceptable to make offensive remarks on the grounds of race, religion or sexuality.
Moments before the programme started, Ofcom's summary of adjudication was broadcast detailing the channel's "significant failings" in relation to the race row on the celebrity show.
It said: "In January 2007, Ofcom received over 44,500 complaints mainly about potentially racist material. Ofcom has concluded that Channel 4 failed to handle appropriately the strong content it was transmitting.
"This resulted in breaches of the Ofcom broadcasting code which is designed to ensure that when broadcasters show potentially offensive material, they do so in a way which offers adequate protection to the viewer."
The broadcaster had breached the code three times, and again by repeating one of the "incidents" on its early morning show.
"This ensures that the largest number of viewers will be made fully aware of the seriousness of Channel 4's failure to comply."
The first contestants to arrive at the house last night were identical twins Sam and Amanda. They were joined by Posh Spice wannabe Chanelle, pink-haired raver Tracey and Tory student Emily. Women's Institute member and former Cambridge don Lesley is the oldest housemate at 60. Former lap dancer Charley is the cousin of Manchester United star Kieran Richardson. Nicky started life in a Mother Teresa orphanage in Mumbai, India, before being adopted and moving to Watford.
Carole is a life-long political protester and member of George Galloway's anti-war Respect Party. The line-up is completed by receptionist Shabnam and a nanny called Laura who dreams of owning a funeral parlour. - (PA)