Big Brother announces Bov Boys 24 hour takeover twist but fans are divided
I'm A Celebrity winner Angry Ginge is one of the Bov BoysBig Brother is handing its new house to The Bov Boys for a 24-hour takeover before the next housemates arrive.
ITV confirmed the creator crew, featuring I’m a Celebrity winner Angry Ginge, will conduct the programme’s first public pre-series dry run.
The announcement excited some viewers, but others linked it directly to the main show’s missing 24-hour live feed.
The stunt comes just before Big Brother 2026 welcomes a new group of strangers into its redesigned house. That timing has sharpened criticism from fans who have campaigned for more continuous access during the series.
Producers will meanwhile use the takeover to test cameras and the wider production set-up before launch.
Why the Big Brother Bov Boys takeover has divided fans
The idea has divided viewers between those welcoming extra house access and others questioning ITV’s priorities.
Some supporters were thrilled by the collaboration between the reality series and the popular online creators. One viewer wrote on Instagram: “This is gonna be amazing.”
Opponents argued that the experiment was unnecessary so close to the new housemates entering. One critic wrote: “Literally nobody asked for this [bleep].”
Others called the takeover a “slap in the face” after repeatedly requesting the return of round-the-clock coverage.
Their argument centres on ITV offering continuous access during the dry run, rather than throughout the main competition. The criticism also reflects how strongly some long-standing viewers associate Big Brother with its live feed.
Who are The Bov Boys?
The Bov Boys are a Manchester-based content collective with millions of followers across their online channels.
Angry Ginge, whose real name is Morgan Burtwistle, heads the group. He also won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year.
Ginge will appear with Tays, Jakey Davies and Chazza during the house test. Heinz Baines will miss the stream because of a family commitment, Big Brother bosses have confirmed.
The crew has invited Adeola Patronne, Mariam Musa, Shauna Games, Scouse Mali and Pieface to join the experiment. Pieface already has Big Brother experience, unlike several of the other invited creators.
Together, the guests will explore the new house while producers check that its cameras and production systems are ready.
When the Big Brother takeover and series begin
The Big Brother x Bov Boys 24-Hour Takeover begins on Saturday 12 September at 12pm. It will run continuously for 24 hours, covering the creators’ arrival, antics and eventual departure.
The co-stream will appear on The Bov Boys’ Twitch accounts and BBUK and ITV Reality’s YouTube channels.
Series 23 then launches on Sunday September 13, 2026, at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. AJ Odudu and Will Best return to host as another group moves into the house.
Big Brother: The Group Chat will follow Sunday to Thursday, with Kate Lawler and GK Barry presenting. The companion programme will also feature AJ and Will along with a panel of former BB stars and guests.
Read more: Gogglebox star Calum quits C4 show as replacement Louis is announced
Big Brother 2026 starts at 9pm on ITV2 on Sunday 13, 2026.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
