Housemates include a former Tory strategist, a 70s dancer, a maintenance engineer and a psychic.

The Big Brother house feels more "claustrophobic" than previous years featuring transparent walls, outside showers and a transparent dining table.

Are you watching Big Brother? What do think of this year's contestants? Is there too much reality TV?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Clive, England: Will you be watching Big Brother 6? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

If it's so dull why do we watch it? I think there are a lot of people not telling the truth about what they watch on TV - Snobs!
Stephen, Harrogate. North Yorkshire

I love Big Brother. Some reality TV shows are ridiculous, but Big Brother is like the mother of reality TV. I watch I'm a celebrity get me out of here too, but that is the only celebrity reality TV show I watch. The others do not interest me, The Farm - that is boring! At the end of the day you either love it and are addicted to it, or you hate it and avoid it like the plague. I am very excited about this year Big Brother. The only thing that annoys me about Big Brother, are the spin-offs like Big Brothers Big Mouth, and Big Brothers Little Brother. They annoy me. Leave BB alone, it's wicked!
Soph, Oxon, UK

I watched the first one until 'Nasty Nick' was booted out for manipulating people. Given this reason, the makers of BB and Channel 4 should have been given the boot at the same time!
Lee, Hebburn, England

I hear these people are selected! I'd hate to see the people that didn't get pass the first stage of selection.
James Headspeath, Gloucestershire, England

What a waste of time, cant we have some useful educational, sports, nature programmes instead? Big Brother is a utter useless programmes which wastes public's time and provide nothing better to our younger generation in Britain! The reason is Media companies are full of dumb idiots these days!
Rohan, Birmingham, West Midlands

I don't watch it but I believe it to be a major social service in the country. Upon hearing associates, friends and others discussing Big Brother you know it's time to politely leave!
David, Manchester, UK

Please, C4, have mercy and end this farce Nadeem Shaikh, London, UK

The sad thing is, I don't watch it and never will, yet because of all the media coverage I still end up knowing who these losers are. Please, C4, have mercy and end this farce.
Nadeem Shaikh, London, UK

A bunch of people sitting around and talking, how boring can you get, not to mention the stupid tasks they have to do which are completely pointless, Its complete rubbish if you ask me.
Shane , Norwich Norfolk

Why is the BBC even bothering to mention this let alone ask peoples opinions. It's not news, or anything remotely related to ordinary peoples lives - it's tabloid journalism at its worst. A child dies of hunger or related illness every few seconds and you consider this worthy of attention?
John, Bristol

I've never watched this show, and from what I've heard I never will - sounds like utter garbage
Len Day, Cardiff, South Wales

I'm off to find some drying paint.
Gareth, Cardiff

If I wanted to watch a room full of mentally unstable and dysfunctional people arguing and backbiting I'd stay at work. I go home to escape that so no, I won't be tuning in.
Vik, UK

Perhaps confinement to a Big Brother style house would be more effective than issuing an ASBO.
Stephen Shingler, Cheadle, UK

We saw five minutes last night - four minutes and 59 seconds too long! It's dreadful!
Tess, Redditch

Yes! There is nothing like watching a bunch of socially inept attention deprived E grade future celebrities in the making! This year its going to be a real entertaining freak show!
Vajid Ali, Birmingham

Big Brother. The Crazy Frog. Celebrity Love Island. Strictly Dance Fever. Is it me becoming the next intake of "Grumpy Old Men"? - or is there just nothing worth watching on TV these days?
Ollie Reed, Manchester, UK

Prepare yourself, you're about to be sucked in by Big Brother 6.
Amelia, Cambs

British people are exactly like this in real life! Caroline, Bristol

I can't believe the contestants have only been in for 3 days and yet there have been insults, arguments, fights, tears, scheming and much unpleasantness. I see this as a perfect representation of living in Britain today. British people are exactly like this in real life! Whether you choose to accept it or not.
Caroline, Bristol

Well I've been watching since Friday and its been great. The only thing I can say to the people that don't like it well don't watch, or read about it then. Big Bruv is so cool BBC must be kicking themselves for not doing it first.
Allan, Redhill, Surrey, UK

I used to like watching Big Brother but now the contestants are all "me me me" constantly talking about whether the cameras are on them, whether they will be famous and how much money they will have afterwards, for goodness sake they've only been inside for 3 days. The Derek person was reciting poems of fame and fortune to himself in the kitchen - people like him, they just cannot stop thinking about how famous they will be. No-one cares. Why don't they just get on with it and have fun instead of being so self absorbed.
Jon, Bristol

I must admit as much as I try not too I always end up watching. But I am disappointed at the lass we've got representing Yorkshire though! Each year they're trying to get weirder and weirder people because they think there will be more action.
Nikki, Leeds

The choice of contestants begs the question: are there no nice people in this country who would like to appear on these programmes? It comes to something when a Thatcher-loving master of the hunt is the most likeable contestant!
Jai Gomer, Cardiff

What is the BBC's fascination with this programme, which is not even broadcast by them? The viewing figures for this show are lower than many others on non-BBC channels, so why is it that this site and Radio Five Live in particular seems to think that it needs daily coverage? If the small brained people who want to watch this sort of trivia want to tune into Channel 4 then fine, but why do the rest of us have to be updated with the nonsense that this show is each day?
Bill, Bristol

If I want to see a load of delinquents arguing in a stuffy room, I'll watch BBC Parliament.
Scott, Gloucester

I Watched the Friday night show. First impression: is this still supposed to be a reality show or a porn show? I can't believe that people can be so blas� about their sex lives when so many people will be judging them. Regardless of what anyone says, we judge the people involved on what we see. So for now we have to make do with people begging for threesomes and snogs and then listen to them regretting it after the show finishes.
Kate, Swindon, Wilts

I am definitely watching this years' Big Brother - it has become an annual thing to look forward to for me. As well as entertaining, Big Brother gives an insight into psychology and how people react in different situations. For a student like me, this makes very interesting and unique watching.
Jess, Devon

I have already had arguments with my girlfriend over the watching of this show. What a complete waste of time. If I am not forced to watch a bunch of wannabe celebrities on an island trying to "find love", or a free holiday, I am not going to be forced to watch a bunch of wannabes sitting in a garden doing nothing apart from trying to be what they aren't.
Simon, Whyteleafe, Surrey

This is just the modern equivalent of the circus freak show Stephen Harvie, London

This is just the modern equivalent of the circus freak show - a pathetic bunch of talentless wannabes being exploited for the entertainment of the intellectually retarded.
Stephen Harvie, London

It's like a rash. You need to keep an eye on it, in case it spreads.
Samuel, Wilts, UK

I love the fact that people will read news articles and then go out of their way to slag off Big Brother! Surely people who don't like it would have no interest in reading articles about it on the BBC News website? Come on kids, if your really not bothered about it let the broadcasters know by not tuning in.
Dave, Doncaster

While it seems easy to criticise Big Brother for being tacky, at the end of the show the public always choose a "good" person over the bitchy, scheming contestants. This highlights the country's moral and social values reflecting an open, liberal society willing to accept different lifestyles, voting for people like Nadia and Brian. Big Brother shows a positive side to the nation's attitude to people and the life choices they make.
Jim McGuiness, Glasgow, Scotland

Get some real friends and get a life! Louise, Newport

I find the whole concept of Big Brother totally embarrassing. The fact that so many people watch it, and worse, admit to being fans, just highlights everything that is wrong with society. How can your life be so empty that you can let yourself be obsessed? Get some real friends and get a life!
Louise, Newport

Big Brother 6 is going to rock. People against it are in the minority and should leave it alone because Big Brother rules!
Steve, Inverness, Scotland

It goes to show that people really have sad pointless lives that they sit and watch 13 people be bored in a house. Personally I prefer to enjoy life.
Dan A, Manchester UK

What do you mean will I be watching? It's the only reason I have a TV. You can keep the rest of the rubbish, it's Big Brother for me and only Big Brother. I dust off the telly every nine months just to watch my three month televisual feast.
Roy Clarke, Leeds

I have never been a massive fan of Big Brother because I can never find the time. It's always seemed interesting though. But last night, I watched the opening of this year's Big Brother and thought it would be great to sit down and actually watch it. After about two minutes of watching it though, I thought it was pretty obvious that the house mates were all acting and just being extremely over the top. I didn't ever suspect acting going on in the little clips of the previous Big brothers I had seen but this one just seemed stupid. There is no way that the people I saw on Big Brother last night were being themselves. It's a shame really, because I would have liked to have been able to watch it without having the urge to pull my teeth out!
Nina, London

Whatever happened to regional representation? A very disappointing choice of contestants, with the majority coming from London and the Home Counties. And the only person who comes from outside England (Mary) is the obligatory quirky "weird one" this year by the looks of it. Speaks volumes doesn't it!
Alex, Glasgow, Scotland

This is the best thing about Big Brother. Not the show or the contestants, but the insufferable snobs who feel it their duty to tell us all how rubbish it is. Grow up and let us have our fun you killjoys!
Markie, Market Deeping

It serves only one function and that is to provide society with a further batch of C-List celebs who will so anything to be famous Jim, York

Looked at the pictures of the contestants. Not a single overweight person in there. No ugly people. No disabled. No old. People who claim that BB is a social experiment should reflect that you cannot have a balanced social experiment without a fairer representation of the people selected. It is just a selection of people to not get on with each other. It serves only one function and that is to provide society with a further batch of C-List celebs who will so anything to be famous. What does it say about our society that to be famous now all you need is to be on a rubbish reality show.
Jim, York

Whilst a very good 'experiment' the choice of subjects makes it more a wannabe freak show than social commentary. Add cameras and editing the contestants behaviour changes to leave the show as jelly for the brain - watchable but with no substance whatsoever.
Andrew, Southsea

Many people who do enjoy this show seem to because of its actual unpleasantness. I find this unsettling.
John C, Andover, UK

Series 1 was quite interesting, but surely this show has now been done to death and should be scrapped. The worst bit is knowing we have 11 weeks of media obsession, and the creation of another handful of moronic z-list "celebrities" to look forward to. In fact, this programme should be banned for inflicting Jade Goody on us!
Dan, UK

Big Brother is providing a service to society by keeping these thirteen obnoxious individuals locked up for the summer.
Alan, Kent, UK

Its quite possibly the most exciting line up in years. Its also a sign that C4 has started to address the concerns of the black community by providing a range of different characters, thus removing the stigma of previous years where a single black person became a bearer for the community as a whole. This simple became a mechanism for outdated prejudices to rise to the surface, a fact highlighted by several far right websites engineering internet campaigns to secure Victor's eviction from BB5.
Omefumilayo Odetangu, Radford, UK

I have no objection to those who wish to subject themselves with boring, mundane rubbish like Big Brother, but I do object to the media feeding us this garbage in the first place. It is plugged to death. I will not be watching Big Brother, as my life is much more fruitful than feeling the need to watch a bunch of ego centred, obnoxious losers make complete fools of themselves in front of an audience of bored housewives and silly students.
Jon, Leicester UK

The only thing worse than this worthless pile of frenzied publicity seekers are the sad deadbeats who tune in to watch this pointless crap.
John, Belfast

Big Brother is the best. I don't know why you all don't like it. And if you don't like it don't watch it!
Emma, Shropshire

Big Brother is...better then all the repeats Erna Easterbrook, Staffs

Big Brother is OK, better then all the repeats the BBC shows. I will be watching it and look forward to the mix of people in it. It should be very interesting.
Erna Easterbrook, Burton on Trent, Staff

A fantastic business model for a TV channel to make money, but it is really a waste of time to watch how other people live their lives.
Will, London

It was a novelty in the beginning but now I find most reality programmes mind-numbingly boring. I would rather play my fave computer game if there is nothing else on worth watching.
Christine , Gillingham, Kent

Proof that the human race really does need thinning out.
Ian, Harlow, Earth

A mix of troubled people in a tacky house doing nothing truly interesting apart from self promotion - sounds so interesting that I think I won't be able to contain my excitement, so I won't watch!
Martin, London

Big Brother is the epitome of shows made for people who are too lazy to live their own lives. Big Brother isn't real life, and I for one would rather live on this side of the screen. Sure it's fun to watch other people sometimes but when you have hours of live feed watching "ordinary" people, that's just lazy. Live for yourself and stop expecting other people to do it for you.
Steve, London

Anything that involves Davina is going to be a success Sarah Allen, Somerset

There is far too much terrible reality TV. However Big Brother is planned, directed and presented at a pitch that keeps everyone engrossed! The new contestants are a very interesting bunch with very mixed backgrounds, opinions and personalities. Anything that involves Davina is going to be a success!
Sarah Allen, Somerset

No.
Christopher, Glasgow

Yaaaawn!
Tony H, Middle Wallop, UK

It is not as simple as "If you don't like it don't watch". Already socially excluded at work by constant talk of football, this is just another subject I'm forced to listen to. I will have to know about it whether I want to or not.
Peter, Wigan

The only problem I have with the program is that it's going to dominate the news channels and TV line-up for weeks. And I thought it was disgusting that the crowds booed some of the contestants - what sort of nation have we become!
James Thomas, England

I know it's wrong but every year I just can't help myself. I am weak, pity me!
Karen F, Farnborough

They are all losers and irritating idiots. I don't want to waste my time.
G, Cambridge

I probably will end up watching it, even though some of last year's screeching idiots made me vow never to watch it again! I think Channel 4 have gone too far this time with their choice of some contestants. Normal people are far more interesting in the long run and make more compelling viewing.
Andy, London

The nation has grown into peeping toms Javid, Manchester

As soon as someone steps foot in the house their ego grows and grows like a hot air balloon starting to take off. They know there are cameras there so a little play acting is always at hand. It's depressing in this day and age that the nation has grown into peeping toms.
Javid, Manchester

Is reality shows the best people can come up with these days? Big Brother uses the public, but these so called celeb reality shows without real celebs make me go to sleep.
Lloyd, Port Talbot

Probably one of the most cringe worthy lines from Saskia before she'd even got into the house: "I'm not a racist, I'm from Sri Lanka." Right...
Martin, Manchester

I haven't watched a TV show in nearly a year. The so-called reality shows finally killed it off for me. There is a much cheaper, spontaneous form of Reality TV... REAL LIFE! Try it out, you might like it...Is it me, or has our society become scarily similar to the society portrayed in 'The year of the sex Olympics'?
Dave Hingley, Ex-pat

Vicarious thrills for the vapid.
Hrundi V Bakshi, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

I have no intention of watching this drivel, but I will probably know everything that goes on there - almost everyone I work with watches it.
Liz Ratcliffe, Cardiff

I haven't watched any of the previous series of Big Brother, but this time it does look rather interesting so I think I'm going to watch it.
Brendan Chilton, Great Britain

No, I won't. And anyone who does should be shoved into their own Room 101 and left there. Get it off the TV and put something more worthwhile on. Like the test card.
Paul Whittle, London

Big Brother rules! If you don't like it, don't watch it and leave us fans alone.
Katy, Manchester

Fans of this rubbish tell us if we don't like it, don't watch it, but for the next 11 weeks all we're going to hear about in the media is this bizarre soap opera, and everything else will be shoved out of the way to make room for it.
Kyle, Cardiff, Wales

Politically correct rubbish for the masses. More than 50% have something which would make them socially abnormal... please
Simius, Poynton Cheshire

We worry about the horrid and confrontational culture taking over Britain but then air a programme that celebrates individuals who "love destroying people's lives and take great delight in seeing other people unhappy", are "too loud, confrontational and [bitchy]", describe themselves as "rude and obnoxious" or "a gossiper, a bitch, two-faced, loud, shallow, materialistic and thick". Good work, Channel 4.
Jon, Nottingham

It doesn't take much to avoid anything BB. I did it for the last three years and I'll be doing it again this year, just like I avoid football and any other over-hyped event. The choice is yours so why complain?
Kenny Evans, Surrey, UK

Utter rubbish. But what a great way to switch off the mind at the end of the day. I'll be watching it!
Denise O'Dwyer, Amersham, Bucks

It does what it is meant to: Create discussion Anon, Surrey

It looks like everybody just loves to hate it. It does what it is meant to: Create discussion, thus increasing its popularity. That's good TV.
Anon, Surrey

I will not be watching BB. The only reason people watch it and why the contestant which are chosen have been chosen is in the hope that they are going to have sex on TV or that there is the possibility of a fight erupting. Can't C4 come up with something more entertaining than a bunch of no hoper wannabes stuck in a house together.
Kim Laurence, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK

I can't believe we have got as far as Big Brother 6. The show started out as an experiment which was interesting. Now all it seems to be is a bunch of arrogant people trying to get in the spotlight by just sitting around all day for the next 11 weeks or so and achieving absolutely nothing. Utter rubbish.
Sue, Notts, UK

Big Brother has chosen quite a selection! I see big fights breaking out very soon - too many big heads together thinking they're The One, and of course the obligatory weirdoes like the cross dresser and the witch.
Richard, Southampton

People who watch this drivel should get out more!
Vic, UK

An 11 week episode of one of those club rep/18-30 holiday shows Bill Davis, Glasgow

It's had its day looking at it. It's more like an 11 week long episode of one of those poor club rep/18-30 holiday shows you see on late at night. Seems far too "scripted" from what I've seen so far. Don't know about watching the rest.
Richard, Swansea

Six Londoners but not a single Scottish or Welsh person. Typical.
Bill Davis, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Big Brother suffers the odd/even number curse a la Star Trek: BB 2 and 4 were dull, dull, dull - and number 6 so far is very unimpressive. It's too obvious who is going to win: Either the North London cor blimey guv'nor or the Nadia/Marco/Brian fella in the dress...
Andy, Chelmsford, Essex

We're in for vitriolic, bitchy rubbish Paul Reuben, London, UK

It's the end of civilisation as we know it. The overwhelming majority of this year's contestants are self-obsessed and opinionated. We're in for vitriolic, bitchy rubbish. I'm already addicted!
Paul Reuben, London, UK

There is way too much reality TV. It's pathetic and sorry but these people are losers and desperate for attention. I would love to give them a piece of my mind
Alicia, Hayes

5 personalities between 13 people? Scraping the barrel me thinks! Derek, Mary, Kemal and Science - the real people. The rest share a single thin veneer of personality between their simple minds.
Trevor Basement, Oxford

My hatred for this "sociological experiment" is inexpressible. I cannot believe the proportion of people who watch this rubbish. What on earth has British TV come to if this is what overtakes our screens for most of the summer?
Kate R, Cambridge, UK

Well, what can I say! Not a bad selection, but not who I would have picked! And what a great thing to do with the first Diary Room!!!
Paul, Sunderland, England

Oh I just love this year's contestants. A gay guy who dresses as an Asian female? I love it!
John, Manchester, UK

Why do people look down at Big Brother? This is one of the boldest sociological experiments of recent years and has done more to promote individual analysis than even a General Election. This is the future. I would certainly be happier to vote for someone if I had a chance to observe them first.
Anthony, Fareham, UK

I laughed from beginning to end Kelly Stevens, Swansea

Oh my life! I laughed from beginning to end - are there any 'normal' people in there?!! It's going to be an interesting 11 weeks!!
Kelly Stevens, Swansea

Just watched 30 mins of this rubbish and to be honest it all seems orchestrated! The contestants seem well versed as to what persona they are to ensue. Nope, I won't be watching this one.
Ceri, UK

That divvy from Huddersfield is going to give us Yorkshire lasses a right bad name!
Dianne, Leeds

Pointless drivel, but is a cheap way of keeping the Mrs happy. So I've bought her a cheap telly, another Sky box and set it all up in another room. I am already reaping the benefits!! Now I can watch some decent telly!
John B, London, UK

What ever happened to making proper programmes? It's because of daft stuff like this that I've almost stopped watching TV completely and just watch DVDs instead.
Francisco, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Yes I will be watching. But why do people have to continually moan and grump about it. If you don't like it just don't watch it! It really is that simple.
Adam Hardie, Edinburgh, Scotland

Excuse me? A transparent dining table? Ooooer. That'll liven it up no end.
Susie, NY

Not a chance, the weather is great so anyone with any sense will be out there enjoying the summer. But also Big Brother is a bit long in the tooth now, the public has seen it and moved on to better things.
Bumble, Dartford, Kent

With the football season over, there is nothing much interesting to look forward to. My husband and I love watching Big Brother as we use it to analyse the contestants' personalities and strategies. At least Big Brother format and contestants are more real compared to Celebrity Love Island.
Christina Spybey, London, UK

Big Brother is the daddy of them all Simon Yaffe, Manchester

Course I will be watching. People complain about reality television shows, such as Celebrity Love Island, which granted is pretty dire. However, Big Brother is the daddy of them all and it's a good release to watch these people after a stressful day at work. In a way, it's an escape from the day to day pressures of life.
Simon Yaffe, Manchester

This programme ran its course 3 or 4 years ago. It is just typical of all TV channels these days who will flog a programme until it's dead, rather than letting it go out on top.
Sam, Sheffield, UK

It is terrifying to think how many man-hours will be wasted watching this programme. I'm afraid I'll do doubt add to this number as I'm eventually and reluctantly drawn in.
Larry, Bristol