Mel: To present reality TV gameshow

The Big Brother format has been used in programmes worldwide, with varying degrees of success - its last episode in the UK was seen by 10 million people.

It involves a group of contestants who must live together in a secure house while watched and eliminated by the public, based on television and internet footage.

Ms Krippendorf said that there would be about 100 prime-time shows in total, but that there would be only one winner in Germany.

"We have bought up seven flights between 2002 and 2008, but that is so we can sell the show on to other countries," she said.

Nick Bateman: "Trust me"

The first show will be in September 2001.

But with their feet firmly on the ground, the UK's Channel 4 Big Brother contestants are experiencing a more traditional taste of stardom.

Winner Craig Phillips presented a �40,000 cheque to Formula One champion Damon Hill, patron of the Down's Syndrome Association.

The money from pre-release sales of Craig's new single, At This Time of Year, was handed over after the song went silver before it hit record store shelves.

" It is my dream for the record to be the Christmas number one. That's the best present I could ask for," he said.

Big Brother gets fishy in the aquarium

Craig has already donated his �70,000 winnings towards life-saving surgery for his best friend's cousin, Joanne Harris, who has Down's syndrome.

And Melanie Hill, who lambasted Big Brother for portraying her as a "flirt", has been signed up as the presenter of a new reality TV show.

Chained, to be screened by Channel 4's digital service E4, launches next year, and involves six people who are manacled together day and night, again followed by cameras.

Mel said: "Chained is great fun, uniquely bizarre and definitely addictive but it's good being the presenter this time."

And Nick Bateman, forever remembered as "Nasty Nick" who was caught cheating and was thrown out, has his television show debut on Monday.

Channel 4's show, Trust Me, tests its contestants on honour and betrayal. The group, selected from various professions, will have to solve dilemmas in return for prize money.