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'Big Brother' House Opens To Public Through National Trust Initiative: HuffPost's Three Hours As A Housemate

HuffPost's Three Hours As A 'Big Brother' Housemate
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

'Big Brother' has caused controversy yet again after the National Trust obtained the keys Britian's most famous house and opened it up to members of the public, annoying some historians who believe it is not culturally significant enough to be associated with the charity - better known for its stately homes.

But while plenty of old fuddy duddies have been getting their knickers in a twist about the National Trust's actions, we were too busy snooping around the Borehamwood bungalow and mingling with housemates past at a celebratory gala held in the house on Thursday night.

The likes of Nikki Grahame, Brian Belo, Lauren Harries, Sophie Anderton and Alex Reid were just some of the familiar faces who turned up, as we were given full access to the house.

Scroll through our gallery below to find out what we learned during our three short hours as a Big Brother housemate...

HuffPost in the Big Brother house
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME(01 of08)
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The house is much, MUCH smaller and a lot less glamorous than it appears on the telly. The MDF shell feels pretty ramshackle and much more like a TV studio than a home. How some housemates manage to live in there for up to 10 weeks, we have no idea! (credit:PA)
'MARIO IS A COMPLETE ***'(02 of08)
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Sophie Anderton seemed as if she'd taken good advantage of the free bar (which included special BB themed cocktails - Sparkling Eviction and Trust Tease) as she hit out at her former 'Celebrity Big Brother' housemate Mario Falcone. It was revealed earlier this week that he had secretly exited the house to go to the American Embassy to obtain a Visa for TOWIE's trip to Las Vegas, where he bumped into ex-girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh and had a conversation with her. "I think Mario is a complete dot dot dot," Sophie slurred before her manager told her to be quiet. Hic! (credit:PA)
'I MISS SEEING MY DAUGHTER'(03 of08)
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A pensive Alex Reid seemed downbeat as he spoke about not seeing as much of the daughter he shares with ex Chantelle Houghton as he would like to. "Dolly is lovely. I love her to pieces. I think about her every minute of every day. She's 15 months now," he told us. "Yes (it's difficult being away from her), but I'm not going to say anymore. I can't." Guess we can only imagine how messy the on-going court battle between Chantelle and Alex is. (credit:PA)
COURTNEY'S MAKEOVER(04 of08)
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Lauren Harries has revealed she is planning on giving 'CBB' pal Courtney Stodden a makeover on their new TV show. "It's going to be me and Courtney going to Los Angeles as well as going around charity shops trying to change Courtney's look and making her into a lady. A Lauren-over," she she teased. Now this we can't wait to see. (credit:PA)
'I CAN'T BEAR GINA RIO'(05 of08)
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Nikki Grahame - who was on crutches following an operation on her foot - is NOT a fan of this year's civilian housemate Gino Rio, whose diary room rants were reminiscent of the BB7 legend. "Oh god, I can't bear her!" Nikki told us. "She thought she'd won it! Did you see her face when she came fourth?!" Ouch! (credit:PA)
'SHE'S FAMOUS IN HER OWN LUNCHTIME'(06 of08)
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Gina's former housemates also had a few things to say about her too. When we overheard someone asking where she was, Dextor Koh replied: "Oh, she's too good to come to this. But she did go to the TV awards." He later told us: "She famous in her own lunchtime. I do love her though." (credit:WENN)
BBITCH FIGHT!(07 of08)
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It became like a real episode of Big Brother when it all kicked off Sophie Anderton & Nicola McLean and BB11 housemates Nathan Dunn & Shabby Katchadourian. The couples began squaring up to each other while sitting out in the smoking area, but we have no idea how it started. Didn't they realise they didn't have to play up to the cameras this time?! (credit:PA)
RUNNING WILD IN THE CAMERA RUNS(08 of08)
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HuffPost managed to sneak around the camera runs, where we spied on what was going on in the house like we were cameramen. We spotted a sign in the runs setting out the rules, which are: dark clothing must be worn; headsets and walkies must be worn at all times; please wear sensible footwear; please keep noise to a minimum and do not leave props unattended in the runs. Big Brother has spoken!

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More Big Brother pics...
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(01 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(02 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(03 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(04 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(05 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(06 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(07 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(08 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(09 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(10 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(11 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(12 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(13 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(14 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(15 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(16 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(17 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(18 of21)
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HuffPost in the Big Brother house(19 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(20 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
HuffPost in the Big Brother house(21 of21)
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(credit:Ash Percival/HuffPost UK)
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