Is Big Brother facing burnout?

Big Brother is going 'nasty' to kickstart its slumping ratings, but could sex be the only medicine that can save the series from disappearing altogether?

The show has spawned controversy around the globe with the tears, tantrums and passions of its contestants, but last year, the terminally dull series was labelled bland by critics and suffered a fall in viewing figures.

With dozens of reality-type programmes to pick from, could we even be suffering a little BB burnout?

The overwhelming ratings smash of ITV's I'm A Celebrity... - derided by critics as trash TV but loved by millions - has apparently pushed Big Brother in a more risque direction:

"I'm sure the latest "Big Brother" will be influenced by the success of I'm a Celebrity, which raised the stakes in reality TV," said media pundit John Plunkett at the Guardian newspaper.

"After watching celebrities eat bugs or lie down with rats the audience is not interested in people just sitting around. They want them to go through the mill," he said.

To combat viewer lethargy, the latest version of the camera-filled house will test British reserve with the introduction of a toilet that has a see-through glass door.

The 12 new contestants for the show, which kicks off on Friday, will also have to share one bedroom and cope with a house designed to be oppressive -- all in the interests of ratings.

"The whole point of Big Brother is that you cannot hide from anything. This year Big Brother is going to be evil," a Channel 4 spokeswoman said.

"We set out to make everyday, mundane things harder...like going to the toilet or having a shower."