It is that time again when the housemates come out to play. I, of course, went down to the Elstree Film and Television Studios to go to the start of BB8!
 
On arrival I was instantly mobbed by a number of fans wanting the usual pictures and autograph. This is cool except I could tell that security was having a job keeping the fairways clear ¬ sorry!
 
The rain earlier in the day disappeared to make way for a great evening to watch the new contestants go in.

So here they are:

1 & 2 Sam and Amanda
Twins and the youngest at just 18! They walked in wearing matching dresses and one with a lollipop. Once in the house, they got straight into the bath together after the initial shock of being in the house giggling away happily. I wonder how happy they will stay? They claim to be inseparable, however, if the finger of evictions points at one, I wonder how the other will survive?
 
3. Lesley.
This lady, whose picture shows here with the glasses on the end of her nose, is a retired writer. She was educated at Cambridge and likes to keep active and does not like under-achievers. She said that she would be an interesting person in the house. Seems to like her pursuits such as golf and no doubt will be interesting viewing with lots to say but how will she cope with the youngsters. Perplexed initially by Sam and Amanda, she said they were Beautiful but sarcastically acknowledged they were twins. Once 10 were in, she counted them out to herself amusingly.
 
4. Charley
Charley is an unemployed girl from South London. She loves Money and living the high-life. Moreover, she seems to love herself more! Seems to try to show loads of "attitude" and was pulling attitude faces which was enough to start the crowd booing her to chants of "Get a Job". Could be quite confrontational.
 
5. Tracy
Tracy is a Cleaner. A bit hyper and likes the prodigy. She turned up with pink (or purple) hair has apparently never used make-up (well, not today). Definitely One of the lads and hyper to the point of irritation she seems to be a very genuine person and may have a lot to contribute. Reminds me of Sid Vicious. Or a female version
 
6. Chanelle
Chanelle Models herself on Victoria Beckham and seemed a bit full of herself! She is from Yorkshire and works in a bank, though she is also a student. Thinks she is a model and was doing the whole catwalk thing in front of the press!

7. Shabnam
Shabnam appeared to a crowd cheering. She likes makeup a lot and was not afraid to admit that she has hundreds of lipsticks. Likes to dress unusual and have colours that clash. Both listens to music and reads on the toilet. She described herself as selfish and she always likes to have the last word. I'd like to see her have the last word against the others.
 
8. Emily
Emily is a drama student and she talks slightly posh considering herself to be a bit of an intellectual (in fact she rated herself 10/10 on intelligence! how objective). She is into indie music and would like there to be some Lads in the house who are rockers. Being a boff(yeah- right), she wants to make the house intellectual.
 
9. Laura
Laura a nanny. Welsh. Into talking and gossip. Loves cooking. I commented that she looks a bit like Daffyd Thomas in little Britain. I am sure she is a nice person, but I wonder how much she will provide entertainment hmmm.

10 Nikky.
This girl seems to think she knows what she wants and who she is. She is Indian but adopted into Indian Irish family. She claims that she is mis-understood and wants to use the show to show who she really is. She does not like men and wore interesting blue eyeliner. Her Job is in the Fiscal profession. With 2 banking types, I expect the Shopping list to be a walk!
 
Finally

11 Carole.
This lady is a sexual health worker. Who likes to get up and out and do stuff.  She likes to attend lots of protests and rallies for what she believes in. She also, like Lesley, has strong views and is very outspoken and opinionated. On coming in everyone cheered, especially when she said that she expects everyone to contribute and pull their weight. I totally agree. Only one thing, should have gone to specsavers!

The new house looks "confusing" with kitchen appliances spread throughout the house (oven in the bedroom and basin the other end of the living area). This should keep the housemates working and having to tolerate each other. The "bathroom" s very big with nice showers, however, the bath is, of course in the living area again. Perhaps this is for the confident housemates to show themselves off (we had a tin one, so what they moaning about).
 
On arriving, the house looks like it may have been slightly extended, but this may be just more camera space (the cameras "run" about a corridor round the outer of the house). Though I think that there are more rooms and cavities than ever before.
 
The diary room looks great with a large clear chair with neon (fluorescent) lamps in it, looks like a pop video.
 
Obviously, when I turned up in the audience, Davina spotted me!!!

Hello, It appears that Big Brother is starting on the 30th so looks like it will be all go go go and I'll have to get the old VCR going (because my Sky+ doesn't record - something to do with the badly installed aerial at my current residence).
 
Currently I am living up in Glasgow; it seems I cannot stay away from the place! I’m working in operations at BBC Scotland, driving the Mixer Desk and various other tasks on the Current Affairs, topical and entertainment shows.
I have also been working on shows at Radio Nan Gaedheal (pronounced Nan Gael), the Galec service for Scotland which is great fun and I have already learned that Falte (Falto) means Welcome!!!
 
Since coming back up to Scotland I have met up with many of my great mates up here including Paul Harper who is working at Real Radio from 10:00 - 14:00, Ryan Morrison from Kingdom FM, Vicky Lee from Scottish TV, who you may see presenting the news, Stuart Barrie from XFM Scotland and Heather Suttie also from XFM!

I have rejoined the West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society and been meeting up with friends, especially Ross Feilen and Campbell Duncan who joined me on a recent trip to Scotland's Secret bunker!

So have I been sightseeing? Of course. As well as the great shopping, I have been checking out the Scottish Maritime Museums at Irvine and Braehead. Amongst other things, I got to see lots of old maritime exhibits, some engines, boats and even a tank to test hull designs. However, the best part of Irvine was to see a original Tenament Flat which is as was the early 1900s! Braehead's museum is full of interactivity and it’s totally packed with information and amazing for what seems like a relatively small building.

As well as a few vehicle and steam shows (yes, I do) the other historical place I have been to is Scotland's Secret Bunker. This is located on the east coast between Anstruther and St Andrews. It is a genuine Nuclear Bunker which would have been where local government and strategic planning would take place if there had been a Nuclear attack. It is really worth a visit. If you cannot visit Scotland, an equally interesting one is located at Kelvedon Hatch in Essex.

I have been going out to a few true Scottish events. I had a couple of great nights at Inside Out at the Arches in Glasgow which is organized by Simon Foy, who is the best Dance DJ in Scotland. It was a great night. Also, I went to Big In Falkirk (thanks to Paul and Real Radio) which was really good day out and I saw the Human League who also played Electric Dreams - a brilliant track!

So now I am settled in here in Anderston, Glasgow, I decided to meet up with a well known residence - Shahbaz!!!!!
 
We went for coffee and something to eat in Partick - not far from me! We had loads to talk about how he has been getting on, who we have met up with and yes...he really is like he was on the telly! It was great. His flat is very well styled with a very impressive DVD collection and lots of artefacts including a brilliant selection of Big Brother mugs!
 
I have no doubt we'll be seeing more of him soon!
 
Back in March I went to the Charlotte Church Show and met up with a few old Big Brother friends - Kinga, Sam, and of course, Davina!!!!

At home in Crawley, since the Autumn, I have been upgrading my house from 1978 to 2005 (well as best I can), which started with getting the Central Heating system replaced with a new condensing boiler and radiators. This required floorboards to come up and new carpets, so I took the opportunity to add Cat5 cabling throughout (4 points per bedroom), TV aerial points and also a backed up power socket (should I need to plug in a clock radio). The final touch is a new bathroom. It looks really smart now though a fake fireplace has been left as it was going to be a nightmare to remove and cover up the wall where it was.
 
Other than the junk I found and cleared out, I also found a squirrel which was not to enthusiastic to leave. So I had to help it.
 
My brother has moved in there which now gives my parents some space!
 
I hope to be down in the world of Big Brother a few times during the show, so if your there and see me, come over and say hello!!!

Take Care
Eugene

It looks like when you are in Reality TV, you find people you know are also getting into it!

I was watching Castaway and suddenly, in week 2, a new girl came in - Cathy Ball. I am totally amazed!
A friend of mine from Newcastle who is studying a PhD is on the show.
In her first few weeks , I was getting worried - some people were giving her a hard time and every time she tried to contribute, others tried to push her out of the way, but now the troublemakers are gone and others are getting on well. She has really done well and is in the last 5!!

Please vote for her to win. It would be great to have a Scientist win.
I also want to say hi to everyone in her Research Group and everyone I met at her many Barbecues.

To vote for her to win dial 09011212103.

Pic: Me and Cathy in London back in November. Who is the most excited!