'Big Brother' narrator Marcus Bentley has revealed the launch show was pre-recorded to "avoid chaos".
The show returned this week on ITV, after five years away when it was previously on Channel 5, but Monday night's (09.10.23) first episode, when the 16 contestants entered the house, was pre-recorded.
Speaking on 'Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden', Jamie said to Marcus: "It's funny the launch show because it was pre recorded ... because normally those launch shows are big live shows, this one wasn't live, which surprised me because I always thought it was one of the great things about 'Big Brother' because it thrives on chaos generally."
But Marcus - who has narrated the show since its inception in 2000 - admitted ITV bosses decided not to have a live launch show in case there were teething problems.
He said: "Yeah. And I think they were trying to avoid the chaos of new studios, new house, a new channel and so I think they just wanted to, you know, evolve naturally or to be recorded, you know."
The rebooted series is presented by new co-hosts, AJ Odudu and Will Best.
On the launch episode, Big Brother threw a few curveballs to the housemates, including blowing up contestant Jenkin's suitcase, and forcing him to go without hot water for 24 hours.
What's more, Dylan was left without a bed for the first night and Olivia was inadvertently put up for eviction by Jenkin, leaving her in tears.
On Tuesday night (09.10.23), Olivia won immunity after she managed to complete Big Brother's mission to avoid being named the "least entertaining" housemate.
Listen to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 06:30 – 10:00 and on Global Player