Big Brother (British TV series) series 12

Production

After Richard Desmond bought Channel 5, he expressed interest in acquiring Big Brother. Endemol UK had been granted permission to keep the Big Brother House at the Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire, until 30 September 2013. On 6 April 2011, Channel 5 formally confirmed a £200 million two-year contract with Endemol to screen Big Brother from 18 August 2011. On 3 May 2011, Endemol and Channel 5 opened the application process for the show.

Open auditions were held at Old Trafford in Greater Manchester on 10 and 11 June 2011, and at the Emirates Stadium in London on 18 and 19 June 2011. Applicants had to be legal residents of the UK or Ireland aged 18 or over by 31 July 2011. Big Brother 2010 winner Josie Gibson participated in filming at the London auditions. From 23 July 2011, trailers announcing the celebrity version aired using Marcus Bentley's voice, featuring former housemates including Josie Gibson, Brian Dowling and Alex Reid.

A promotional campaign under the slogan 'When Bruv takes over' used the song 'When Love Takes Over' by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, showing past housemates dancing and miming in the streets. Break bumpers and a countdown to launch were broadcast in the week before the launch. Channel 5 also placed commercials on other channels, including ITV1, and advertised in Desmond-owned newspapers, magazines and posters. In the second week of the celebrity version, trailers heralded the return of the main series on 9 September 2011.

House guests

On 8 September, presenter Brian Dowling confirmed a twist involving Canadian model and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, who entered the house on launch night to host a party and set tasks during a four-day stay. On Day 31, ex-housemate Rebeckah re-entered to host a date with Tom, but was admonished by Big Brother for attempting to communicate with former housemate Aden against task rules. On Day 40, Tashie Jackson returned for the 'Scream' shopping task, having previously returned covertly for a bungee jump in Week 2.

On the night of Day 41, ex-celebrity and main series housemates and VIP guests re-entered for a red carpet premiere of the horror movie Paranormal Activity 3, joining current housemates Aaron, Jem, Louise and Tom. Guests included Celebrity Big Brother 8 winner Paddy Doherty, Bobby Sabel, Lucien Laviscount, Nikki Grahame, Imogen Thomas, Kieron Richardson, Bronagh Waugh, Michelle Heaton and Katie Price. On Day 55, celebrity cleaning expert Kim Woodburn entered to inspect the house and set a shopping task called 'It'll be all white', awarding a reduced shopping budget of £150 plus a £50 bonus for cleaning efforts.

Nominations table

Pamela Anderson could grant immunity to four housemates via Golden Swimsuits; Heaven, Aden and Maisy received the first three, but Rebeckah, the fourth recipient, had to remove one privilege and chose Aden. Harry won immunity from nominations on Day 9 after an endurance task. Housemates were told they could openly discuss nominations until further notice. New housemate Jem could not nominate or be nominated.

Anton and Jay received the most nominations but were 'fake evicted' to a secret room, 'The Crypt', and after passing a secret mission they returned and chose Jem and Harry to face eviction with them. In a week where friends and family nominated, Aaron and Jem received the most nominations; Jem walked before eviction, so Aaron, Faye, Harry and Jay faced the public vote. Face-to-face nominations in one week gave housemates an electric shock each time they received a nomination.

In the final week, the public voted for the winner; Tom was evicted the day before the final, leaving Aaron, Alex, Jay and Louise.