Big Brother returns to ITV2 after turbulent start and storm delay

Big Brother returned to ITV2 with a turbulent start, kicking off on Sunday September 28 and delivering two early departures, the arrival of four latecomers and a weather-disrupted live eviction. The revived civilian series, presented by AJ Odudu and Will Best, opened with 12 housemates; a launch-night public vote and a rapid “evil eye” twist led to the first departure within hours, and a second eviction took place during a live show that was partly moved off the outdoor set because of Storm Amy on October 3.

Producers announced the launch-night twist during the live introduction of the cast, opening a brief public vote that resulted in three housemates being given the evil eye and sent to an exit room. After deliberations among the trio, Emily Hewertson, 25, described as a political events manager, was the first contestant to leave. Four additional contestants were confirmed to join the house in the next episode, increasing the cast and prompting a new round of strategic decisions inside the house.

The four late entrants — Feyisola, a 33-year-old financial investigator; Cameron B, a 25-year-old personal trainer from Bolton; George, a 23-year-old parish councillor from Essex; and...