Big Brother Celebrity Hijack - Jimmy Carr to star

21 December 2007 - Jimmy Carr will control the housemates for 'Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack'.

The 35-year-old TV presenter will join fellow comedians Matt Lucas, 33, and Joan Rivers, 74, in the role of Big Brother on the new Channel 4 show which begins on January 3.

The show - which sees celebrities take over the house and set tasks and rules for a group of housemates - will replace 'Celebrity Big Brother'. The hit reality show was axed after it was struck by scandal this year, when Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara allegedly racially bullied eventual winner Shilpa Shetty.

Dermot O'Leary, who will present the show's evictions, said: "There are two main differences to the new show. Firstly the celebs will actually be Big Brother. And secondly, rather than auditions, we went out and deliberately cast some very gifted people to be in the house - so hopefully it'll lead to a really fun experience."

'Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack' - which will also star racing pundit John McCririck, 67, - will see some of the UKs brightest young artists, scientists and musicians compete for a £50,000 prize.

(C) BANG Media International