Big Brother Everything you need to know about Big Brother 8

Big Brother 8 opens its doors on Wednesday, May 30, when host Davina McCall will send 13 new housemates into the Big Brother house in Elstree, where they'll stay for up to three months of mischief, mayhem, tears, tantrums and, if the past seven series are anything to go by, all-out anarchy!

It looked like we may have seen the last of the hit reality show in the wake of the Shilpa Shetty race row that tarnished Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year. But according to C4, it's back and it's bigger than ever – and with more than a few changes...

For starters, there's been lots of speculation over the show's new multi-coloured eye logo. Is the retro design a clue that some of the housemates will be living in a Life On Mars-like time warp? Or does it confirm the rumour that 'at least half' of this year's housemates are gay?

Speaking of housemates, insiders say that a real 'mixed bag' has been chosen this year and is thought to include a Greek art student, an Asian teacher, a disabled woman and a gobby chav (surprise, surprise). And could this year see the first Big Brother mole?

The house itself has also been given a fresh new look – and nothing is quite what it seems... Housemates hoping for some privacy can think again as the bathtub is slap-bang in the middle of the living room. The fridge is at the bottom of a now much smaller garden - and tea and toast fanciers have been warned, the kettle and toaster are locked away in a see-through cabinet, which will only be opened on Big Brother's say so.

So what else does Big Brother have in store? Will there be secret hideaways? Or the now trademark House Next Door? And what's the significance of the 1970s-style phone in the kitchen? As usual, all will be revealed by Big Brother in due course...

But some things never change. Davina's back to host the live launch shows and the weekly evictions. And despite going off to host The X Factor, Dermot O'Leary will still be giving us all the essential Big Brother 8 gossip every Sunday lunchtime in Big Brother's Little Brother.

Big Brother's very own 'big mouth' Russell Brand won't be back for this series – but loyal Big Brother fans needn't fret as the spin-off show will be returning in a new slot on Friday night, featuring a whole host of guest presenters.

Psychology show Big Brother's Big Brain has been replaced by Big Brother On The Couch, presented by Davina on Sunday nights.

And, of course, there's no excuse to miss a minute of the action from inside the house thanks to whatsontv.co.uk. With an up-to-the-minute blog, latest pictures and news and gossip as it happens, whatsontv.co.uk really is the most comprehensive place for BB fans to get their daily fill.