Big Brother 2 repeats success

Elizabeth (left), Penny, Paul and Brian arrive

Channel 4's Big Brother 2 looks on course to repeat last year's ratings success.

The programme drew more than four million viewers on Monday night - just three days into the series - equal to the first series at about the same stage.

I feel a bit threatened

Penny

An update programme earlier in the evening drew 1.7 million viewers.

At the climax of last year's Big Brother, about 10 million viewers tuned in to see Craig Phillips walk off with the £70,000 prize.

First nominations

The makers of Big Brother will be hoping for equal, if not greater, levels of interest for the new series.

The Channel 4 figures are small in comparison to viewing figures at similar times on BBC One or ITV, but about one million higher than for programmes previously in the slot on the channel.

Meanwhile, reality TV rival Survivor, on ITV, continues to draw up to 5.5 million viewers. On Monday night an average of 5.3 million viewers watched Uzma being evicted from the house.

The programme began two weeks ago with about 6.4 million viewers but since then has struggled to capitalise on the figures.

An ITV spokeswoman said: "In the US with Survivor those shows took a while for people to get to know the characters."

The 10 Big Brother contestants - Amma, Brian, Bubble, Dean, Elizabeth, Helen, Narinder, Penny, Paul and Stuart - entered the Big Brother house last Friday and will remain together until the first nominations for eviction on Monday 4 June.

Viewers will get to choose the first person to leave, from a selection of two, who will leave on Friday 8 June.

A new member will be added to the house on the same day.

Squabble

After four days in the house, the pressure is beginning to rise.

On Monday night the 10 members squabbled over organisation in the house.

Uzma is the latest contestant to be evicted from Survivor

"No one knows whether they are coming or going," complained Bubble.

Penny was criticised for taking over in the kitchen.

She said: "I feel a bit threatened. If anyone feels threatened by me it's not my problem. I feel guilty for being myself."

The current viewers' favourite to win, according to the Big Brother website, is Brian with 26% of all votes cast.

Lagging behind on six per cent is Paul, who has been forced to use crutches after spraining his ankle in the house during a photo shoot.