Big Brother bosses 'cast beauty queen Noky Simbani who represented Great Britain in Miss Universe as housemate for new series'

January 14th, 2026 at 9:48 AM

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Big Brother 2023: Duty of care protocols in full

A beauty queen who represented Great Britain in the Miss Universe competition is reportedly set to become a Big Brother housemate on Sunday night.

Noky Simbani, 26, is said to be one of 16 people entering the show’s famous house for the revamped ITV2 series, according to The Sun.

It is claimed Noky is single and works as in finance, having obtained a master’s degree in chemical engineering.

She has previously travelled to India to spend time with women who have been disfigured by acid attacks.

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A TV source told the newspaper: ‘Noky’s an ideal housemate. Not only is she beautiful but she’s got brains and a fantastic personality.

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Fame game: Noky Simbani, 26, a beauty queen who represented Great Britain in Miss Universe, is said to be one of 16 people entering the Big Brother house on Sunday (Noky pictured in the evening gown competition during the preliminary round of the 71st Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana in January)

Keen: Producers for various shows are said to have wanted Noky on their programmes in the past but it is claimed she thought past offers weren’t the right fit (Noky pictured during the 71st Miss Universe preliminary competition in New Orleans, Louisiana in January)

‘Several casting producers have been desperate to sign her to reality shows.

‘But she didn’t want to choose something too obvious like Love Island.

‘She felt BB would show there’s more to her than looks.’

A Big Brother spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘The housemates for the new series of Big Brother will be revealed in tomorrow night’s launch show at 9pm on ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX.’

The new and improved Big Brother house is ready and waiting for the new crop of housemates to move in.

After ITV2 released photos of the garden on Friday, fans have finally been given a look inside the house ahead of the launch on Sunday at 9pm.

The interior of the house features an open plan layout with the kitchen, dining area and seating area for the evictions all in one room.

The space is dominated by two large semi-circular sofas which are placed underneath a flat screen TV.

Here it is: The new and improved Big Brother house is ready and waiting for the new crop of housemates to move in

Come on in: After ITV2 released photos of the garden on Friday, fans have finally been given a look inside the house ahead of the launch on Sunday at 9pm

Take a seat: The space is dominated by two large semi-circular sofas which are placed underneath a flat screen TV

This will likely be where the housemates gather for the live evictions and house announcements from Big Brother.

In the centre of the room is a long, slender dining room with 16 chairs, seven on either side and one at each end.

The housemates will get plenty of natural light during their stay as a glass window on the roof looks down onto the living area.

To the right of the dining area is the kitchen, which features a sleek green countertop and matching cupboards.

There is a wooden island with a fuchsia counter top and five chairs were some of the housemates can sit to enjoy their breakfast.

While the Big Brother house has nearly always been a bungalow, this year’s house features an upstairs area.

Directly above the kitchen is another living space with a beige couch and a brick wall covered in love hearts.

Let’s eat: In the centre of the room is a long, slender dining room with 16 chairs, seven on either side and one at each end

Not bad: Unlike previous Big Brother compounds, contestants will have plenty of room to stretch out and relax

Lovely: The housemates will get plenty of natural light during their stay as a glass window on the roof looks down onto the living area

Cooking up a storm: To the right of the dining area is the kitchen, which features a sleek green countertop and matching cupboards

Big Brother is watching: The show’s iconic eye logo is even printed on coffee mugs in the compound’s kitchen

No expense spared: Even thje tea-towels are adorned with the returning show’s colourful branding

Fancy a brew? There is a wooden island with a fuchsia counter top and five chairs were some of the housemates can sit to enjoy their breakfast

All change: While the Big Brother house has nearly always been a bungalow, this year’s house features an upstairs area

Walk this way: A sleek corridor is painted in contrasting shades of green and features a series of staggered arches

Tasteful: Directly above the kitchen is another living space with a beige couch and a bare brick wall

Housemates hoping to get some privacy up there are out of luck however as one wall is completely made of glass so anyone downstairs will be able to see who is there.

Discussing the bedroom, a source told MailOnline: ‘The bedroom features two double beds at the either side of the room, surrounded by pink mood lighting, so no doubt any budding couples will have a perfect love nest for their liaisons.

‘There’s no privacy for any loud sleepers, with hairdryers included in the bedroom, meaning there could be some tired and irritated housemates.’

On the bathroom, they added: ‘Privacy seems to be a luxury in the house, with two glass showers, and a huge bathtub, so housemates won’t be able to escape Big Brother’s watching eye.’

Unlike previous years, this year’s house has put sustainability at the forefront, with an outdoor water tank collecting rainwater that will fill the jacuzzi.

Watch what you say: Housemates hoping to get some privacy up there are out of luck however as one wall is completely made of glass so anyone downstairs will be able to see who is there

In previous years, the smoking area has been a fixture of house chat and gossip, but this year, it will be kept away from the cameras, with just a microphone to pick up on any dramatic discussions.

This year’s house also features a cheeky nod to its reality TV rival Love Island, with the inclusion of an outdoor fireplace.

It was also revealed that 30,000 people applied to take part in the show, though bosses are tight-lipped on exactly how many housemates will move in on launch night.

Big Brother launches on Sunday 8 October at 9pm on ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX.

Big Brother 2023: Duty of care protocols in full

Housemates must undergo a social media blackout, take part in ‘respect and inclusion training’ and will have access to one-on-one mental health support sessions before, during and after the show.

The respect and inclusion training will set out expectations around use of language and acceptable behaviour in the House.

Before filming all Housemates have undergone psychological and medical assessments including assessments by an independent doctor, mental health professionals and information reports from each Housemate’s GP.

Housemates were also required to disclose in confidence any medical history or other information that would be relevant to their participation in Big Brother.

In addition their family and friends will be asked not to post any content on their individual social accounts for the duration of their time in the House in a social media blackout.

ITV also said that the Housemates have received information about the experience of taking part in Big Brother including the possible positive and negative implications.

The contestants also undergo a series of background checks including checks of their social media by an independent specialised service.

The show’s welfare team and other members of the editorial and production team received training in Mental Health First Aid and ‘respect and inclusion’.

ITV say the team have set out Big Brother’s expectation for appropriate behaviour and language.

Housemates are also provided with and talked through the Housemate rules which set out expectations and explain key aspects of life in the Big Brother House.

Whilst in the House mental health professionals are available to Housemates for ongoing support throughout their time in the House.

The Big Brother welfare team also support friends and family with regular contact and updates.

After leaving the Big Brother House bespoke training on dealing with social media and press will be given.

A mandatory session with mental health professional immediately after a Housemate leaves the House will also be provided.

Further support sessions will be provided specific to a Housemate’s individual needs and support will remain in place until the mental health professional(s) have agreed an end date for each individual Housemate.

Ongoing contact by the head of welfare will continue for a period of 14 months after the series has ended, and additional help where needed will also be on offer.