Big Brother housemates Marcus Akin, Charlie Drummond and Rodrigo Lopes actually applied for the show last year according to The Sun.

The trio were eventually rejected from the main lineup but they did make it as far as the test house, in which producers watched how they interacted as a group.

Producers are said to have been severely disappointed by the calibre of applicants this year and called upon Marcus. Charlie and Rodrigo to step in instead.

A source said: “There was a real dearth of contestants this time. Bosses had hardly any one to choose from.”