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Big Brother Australia is currently filming in Sydney, and host Sonia Kruger has opened up about what details Channel Seven has chosen to tell the contestants about the coronavirus crisis.
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The cast entered the house three weeks ago to begin filming the revamped pre-recorded series, which is coming soon.
While they are possibly in the safest place in Australia, as they are already isolated, the network has chosen to tell contestants about the pandemic in these extraordinary times.
“Our Executive Producer went into the house and spoke to them through the diary room,” Kruger said on Sunrise on Thursday.
It’s understood housemates would usually only be informed about the outside world due to the death of a close relative or friend.
“They were shocked, as most people would be learning the news about a worldwide pandemic.”
“They were quite concerned about the football codes maybe not going ahead!”
Sonia added that producers will “regularly provide” the cast with updates and that the government’s hygiene recommendations have been implemented on the set.
She also revealed that Big Brother Australia has a “wellness manager” who is in contact with the contestant’s friends and family.
“The last thing we want is for them to be concerned.”
Earlier this week in a statement to 7NEWS.com.au, a spokesperson for Big Brother said:
“Endemol Shine Australia takes the health and safety of our crew and contestants extremely seriously.”
“We are working in line with current guidelines and production on Big Brother is continuing.”
“Housemates have been brought across the current situation and we are in constant contact with the families to keep all involved up to date.”
Earlier reports suggested they would be kept in the dark.
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Filming of the revamped show began in Manly, Sydney, three weeks ago, with the new format being pre-recorded rather than live.
As housemates have been in total isolation for that entire period, it’s thought they could be in the safest place in Australia.
The Big Brother house is understood to be well supplied with food and essentials.
Coronavirus has been sweeping Australia and has now been given pandemic status.
The update comes after news that Sonia Kruger is confirmed as the host of the all-new Big Brother 2020 on Channel 7.
“Big Brother has spoken and Sonia Kruger will helm the new game. Channel Seven is very excited to have Sonia on board for a thrilling new era of Big Brother,” a Channel Seven spokesperson said.
Sonia previously hosted Big Brother between 2012 and 2014, she even hosted the show while pregnant with her daughter, Maggie.
Fans of the show, which made its debut on Australian television almost 20 years ago, will recall memorable moments such as the ‘turkey slap’ and Merlin’s refugee protest.
Big Brother 2020 will return with a new house, new rules and without its live format.
Sonia’s confirmation as host of Big Brother 2020 comes just three months after she announced she was leaving Channel Nine during a teary segment on Today Extra.
Confirming she would be returning to her old stomping ground at Channel Seven, the 54-year-old said in a statement: “I’m beyond excited to be returning to the network where I first discovered my love of live television and family entertainment.”
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