Channel 4 issues Big Brother apology only hours after start of new series

The reality show which began on Friday night issued an incorrect text number for viewers to get into contact with the programme during an edition of its spin off show Big Brother's Big Mouth on Friday night.

Viewers who paid between 10p and 12p for their texts and who sent them to shortcode 83188 failed to make any contact with the programme.

Channel 4 is offering to refund viewers who get in contact.

The line up of this year's competition includes Ulrika Jonsson, the broadcaster, Latoya Jackson, the sister of Michael Jackson and Verne Troyer, the Austin Powers star.

This is the first series of Celebrity Big Brother since the infamous Shilpa Shetty and Jade Goody race row in 2007. Channel 4 bosses decided to give the franchise a rest as a result of the fall out from that particular controversy.

Other contestants in the new three week series include Michelle Heaton, the former singer from Liberty X, Lucy Pinder, a page three girl, Tommy Sheridan, the outspoken Scottish MP and the actress Tina Malone, of Brookside fame.

This is the sixth series of Celebrity Big Brother since the launch of the concept in 2001. The very first series was won by Jack Dee, the comedian.

Channel 4 will hope the new run will match the success of previous series of Celebrity Big Brother, which have attracted up to 8 million viewers.

- telegraph.co.uk