Every year I promise myself that I won’t get sucked into the reality TV bubble that is Big Brother. We sit on our couches at home, watching people sit on their couch in their 'home'. But after 11 years, and some of the most cringe worthy and whacky pairings in television history (Nikki and Pete/Kemal and Kinga), I can’t help but become a champion for love when those romances start brewing.
This year is no exception and Big Brother is once again playing a genius game of cupid with Aussie beach babe John James and country girl Josie. Although the two lovebirds are cute and cuddly, this is one romantic liaison that won’t be hearing the blissful sounds of wedding bells anytime soon.
When girl next door Josie entered the house she seemed to have a larger than life personality and oozed confidence, a girl that looked like she mightn’t take herself too seriously or mind a few beers and a sing-along. Contrary to this, after a couple of weeks and a few innocent fumbles with guy-liner loving John James, the once bubbly woman has been left looking like a utter fool, all in the name of love.
Why not start a romance in the house? As the housemates have said themselves, it guarantees you some hefty pay checks from gossip magazines when you wander out of those sliding doors to the real world. While John James does seem like a down to earth, handsome man, this has to be what’s in the back of his mind when he goes to snuggle into Josie under the covers (his refusal to kiss her on camera is getting a bit embarrassing to watch). Sadly it looks like lovesick Josie might be actually falling for 'Skippy'. Maybe when she comes out and manages to get her roots done, he’ll fancy her a bit more.
Perhaps it’s a good thing that bitterly annoying Sam Pepper entered the house last Friday night to a thunder of boos and set about stirring his cauldron of destruction. Since then his taunts at Josie - although they have been somewhat cruel - have taken away from the lazy romance in the house and brought a 'Nasty Nick' type character back, which always adds a bit of entertainment.
The ignorant and unbearable graffiti artist seems to be moving around the house blasting out the insults like a machine gun. Last night it was Jedward-loving Rachel’s turn to feel the wrath of the Pepper. While telling her that she doesn’t have an intelligent brain and has nothing going for her, the looks of outrage on the other housemates’ faces were priceless. He’s like a child at a party that needs to stay away from anything sugar coated.
Ginger Andrew seems to be reaching boiling point with the newest arrival. Perhaps one of the funniest housemates of the series, his 24 Jack Bauer task has to be one of the highlights of the show. His drunken state after that just added to his appeal and admitting he has his first ever crush on Josie can only have won him even more fans.
With Jo’s words of wisdom and the prospect of a new romance on the horizon between John James wannabe JJ and inflatable Corin, things can only be on the up as the last ever series winds to a close.
Summers will not be the same without the fame hungry lot filling our screens but it is finally time to bury the prying eyes of Big Brother and wave goodbye to the house forever. But not before I find out what’s going to happen with the couples.
Sarah Carty
