Big Brother fans have a big complaint about this year’s line-up

Big Brother's line-up could be mistaken for Love Island 2025's cast, according to viewers

Big Brother fans have a big complaint about this year’s line-up. (ITV)
Big Brother fans have a big complaint about this year’s line-up. (ITV)

You would be forgiven for thinking the Big Brother 2024 line-up were the cast for next year's Love Island, according to viewers of the show.

There was one big complaint about the Big Brother housemates from those watching at home when the ITV show launched on Sunday. Many complained there was a lack of age diversity, with some poking fun saying the cast could have been lined up for Love Island (especially as a few of the housemates were quick to bring up their love lives).

Aged 53, Emma is the oldest housemate. It wasn't lost on viewers at home that everyone else in the house was in their 20s and 30s. The rest of the ages were as following: 35, 34, 27, 29, 24, 28, 38, 20, 26, 23, 24, 24, 25, 29.

Social media was awash with comments about the lack of age diversity and among the comments, one person wrote: "The cast looks very good but there’s a lack of age diversity #bbuk."

Someone said: "It needed more older people. Like Farida and Kerry from last year. It needed more diversity too and age gaps. Too much 20 somethings. These lot should have been cast in Love Island. Not sure if the public would like this, reverting back to a young cast. #BBUK."

Another added: "Could end up being a good cast but atm they’ve looked for diversity everywhere except age #BBUK."

The cast of Big Brother 2024 has been revealed. (ITV)
The cast of Big Brother 2024 has been revealed. (ITV)

A viewer said: "Launch night is always hard to make a judgement call but the lack of ages does make me think this series will pale compared to last year. There's only 4 of them that are above the age of 30. #bbuk."

One complained: "Actually think it will be. Wheres the diversity in age ranges? Exactly how channel 5 finished off the last era of the show. #bbuk."

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Another said: "Honestly can't express my utter sadness with this years lineup. It's so underwhelming. Where's the age range, which made it the ultimate social experience. #bbuk."

Not everyone was unhappy with the line-up though. Others hit back at the complaints saying they were happy with the contestants for this series. Someone countered: "Who are the ‘oldies’ exactly? What age group are you talking about? Emma is 53, and I get that people want diversity, but I’m not sure how well someone in their 50s would fit in with a house full of 20-30 year olds. Could be a tough dynamic! #BBUK."

The Big Brother's eye
Big Brother started on Sunday night. (ITV)

In agreement, another added: "Why are twitter millennials and gen Xs having breakdowns over the ages of people in the house lol, it’s not as diverse as it should be sure but it’s a much better age range than most of the channel 4 series had #bbuk."

Some people had pointed out the age diversity was better cast last year because there was make-up artist Farida, 50, former NHS manager Kerry, 40, and DJ Dylan, 39. Arguably though the most beloved of the cast were 25-year-olds Jordan, Henry and Yinrun.

Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best don't know who is going to be in the house before the launch show. Presenter Best had said he would like to see some older people in the house so he is likely to be a bit disappointed too, although he will be pleased by the housemates in their 30s.

Ahead of the show, he had said: "I think they got the balance right last time in terms of age and demographic - I think it was a really good spread. I’m hoping to see more of the same. I’d definitely like some older people in the house - I want to see the 30s repped!"

AJ Odudu and Will Best returned to their hosting duties on Big Brother. (ITV)
AJ Odudu and Will Best returned to their hosting duties on Big Brother. (ITV)

Odudu shared her hopes for the line-up too saying: "That is the thing with Big Brother - we can really have a diverse cast in every sense of the word. People that represent the whole country - it doesn’t matter what age you are, if you’re single or not, what your religion is, what your gender is, what colour you are, what cultural background you come from. That’s the most beautiful thing and one of the reasons I’m always so excited to be a part of this show. It’s one of the most diverse shows on television and that’s why I’m so proud to be a part of it."

Big Brother continues on ITV2 at 9pm every night.