Big Brother to stream pre-series ‘dry run’ for the first time with 24-hour Bov Boys takeover

Big Brother is opening the doors to its new house early, with fans set to be given an unprecedented look at the show’s pre-series ‘dry run’ ahead of Sunday’s launch.

For the first time in Big Brother UK history, viewers will be able to watch a dry run of the House live, as creator collective The Bov Boys move in for a special 24-hour takeover from 12pm on Saturday 12th September.

Dry runs, also known as the guinea pig run, have long been part of Big Brother’s preparations for a new series, allowing producers to test the cameras, production systems and workings of the House before the real housemates arrive. Until now, however, they have always taken place firmly behind closed doors.

This year, Big Brother is letting viewers in on the action.

The takeover will stream continuously for 24 hours across Big Brother UK and ITV Reality’s YouTube channels, as well as via The Bov Boys’ individual Twitch accounts.

The Bov Boys are known for their chaotic humour and troublemaking antics, meaning Big Brother’s production team could face a rather more eventful final test than usual.

The Manchester-based creator collective includes Angry Ginge, winner of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, alongside Tays, Jakey Davies and Chazza.

They won’t be entering the House alone either.

A number of fellow content creators have been invited along for the takeover, including Adeola Patronne, Mariam Musa, Shauna Games and Scouse Mali.

They’ll also be joined by a familiar face to Big Brother fans – Pieface, who previously lived in the House as a housemate during the 2015 series.

From the moment the creators enter until they’re eventually sent packing, viewers will be able to watch everything unfold live as they put the new House and Big Brother himself through its paces.

The unusual takeover comes just one day before the proper game begins.

Big Brother returns on Sunday 13th September at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX, with AJ Odudu and Will Best back at the helm as a brand-new group of strangers move into the House.

ITV has teased this year’s home as a “house of surprises”, with the new series set to run for eight weeks.

There will also be a new companion show this year, Big Brother: The Group Chat, hosted by former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler and GK Barry.

Airing Sunday to Thursday immediately after the main show, The Group Chat will take a closer look at the personalities, relationships and dynamics developing inside the House.

The 24-hour takeover gives fans another opportunity to see inside the brand-new Big Brother House before Sunday’s launch – although this time, unlike the official House reveal, we’ll actually get to see people living in it.

The Big Brother brand has now amassed more than 157 million streams on ITVX since its return to ITV.

Big Brother x Bov Boys: 24 Hour Takeover begins at 12pm on Saturday 12th September, streaming live on the BBUK and ITV Reality YouTube channels and The Bov Boys’ Twitch accounts.

Big Brother returns Sunday 13th September at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.