Well, the results are in, and while ‘BB’ did manage to pull in more viewers with its series debut last night (5 June), Channel 5 probably shouldn’t be celebrating just yet.
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'Big Brother' host Emma Willis
PA Wire/PA Images
As reported by Tellymix, the new series of ‘Love Island’ debuted with a respectable 1.25 million viewers, which is particularly impressive as this figure is almost double what last year’s series opener drew in.
Meanwhile ‘Big Brother’ pulled in 1.32 million viewers, and while this is higher than its reality rival, it also makes this year’s the lowest-watched launch in the show’s 17-year history.
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Caroline Flack in this year's 'Love Island' launch show
Over on ‘Big Brother’, viewers cast their vote for the People’s Housemate, who will gain special privileges over the rest of his fellow contestants, including contact with the outside world.
‘Love Island’ airs every night on ITV2, with ‘CBB’ airing nightly on Channel 5.
'Big Brother' 2017: Here's Where You've Seen The Housemates Before
Chanelle McCleary(01 of09)
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Chanelle is one of three contestants to have previously starred on ‘Ex On The Beach’, starring in the most recent series, after which she was forced to deny accusations of racism from fellow star Zahida Allen.
Her reality TV appearances don’t stop there, though. as she’s previously looked for love on ‘Take Me Out’, ‘Dinner Date’ and the short-lived ‘Dating In The Dark’.
As well as reality TV, Chanelle has worked as a glamour model, appearing in spreads for Zoo magazine. (credit:MTV)
Rebecca Jane(02 of09)
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Rebecca is particularly proud of her honey-trapping business, even penning a book about the venture, ‘The Real Lady Detective Agency’.
In the past, she’s appeared on ‘This Morning’ and ‘Loose Women’ to debate topics including whether it’s unprofessional for women not to wear make-up to work, whether returning to work after giving birth makes women better mothers and, most recently, whether “picking your nose and eating it” is good for you.
Ellie reportedly turned down ‘Love Island’ to appear on ‘Big Brother’, after catching producers’ eyes on ‘The Ibiza Weekender’.
According to The Sun, she was initially supposed to enter the house with her ‘Ibiza Weekender’ co-star Hayley, but seized the opportunity to go it alone when offered by ‘BB’ bosses, leading to a fall-out between the two. (credit:ITV)
Arthur Fulford(04 of09)
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As a child, Arthur starred alongside his wealthy family in ‘The F**ing Fulfords’ and ‘Life Is Toff’ on BBC Three.
We’ll be honest, we hadn’t heard of either of them either, though we’re sure they were thoroughly entertaining. (credit:Adrian Sherratt/REX/Shutterstock)
Kieran Lee(05 of09)
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It won’t exactly be shock of the century to learn that Kieran is a former ‘Ex On The Beach’ star, who reckons the ‘BB’ women will be “fighting over him” this year.
He’s also played for football clubs including Barnoldswick Town FC and Clitheroe. (credit:MTV)
Lotan Carter(06 of09)
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A brief appearance on ‘Pineapple Dance Studios’ with his uncle Louie Spence isn’t Lotan’s only claim to fame, he’s also a member of stripping dance troupe, The Dreamboys. (credit:Instagram/Dreamboys)
Hannah Agboola(07 of09)
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If you follow the beauty pageant circuit you just might have encountered Hannah before, as she’s the current reigning Miss Nigeria UK. (credit:Instagram/hannahagboola)
Kayleigh Morris(08 of09)
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You guessed it! Kayleigh was once a cast member on the fifth series of ‘Ex On The Beach’, and has previously dated ‘CBB’ winner Stephen Bear and footballer Ashley Cain. (credit:MTV)