Big Brother housemate Rochelle was left rattled after her husband, Russell, used his visit to warn her about some of the people around her in the house.
This week, the contestants have been staying in the House of Time, completing challenges in a bid to earn valuable minutes with their friends and family.
When those reunions took place, the housemates were ‘frozen in time’ and forbidden from speaking to their loved ones. Any contestant who broke the rule would bring the meeting to an immediate end, while time would also be deducted from their fellow housemates.
In scenes due to air during Friday’s episode, Rochelle is visited by Russell, who delivers a pointed warning: ‘Right, listen to what I’m saying. There’s people in there that you need to keep away from…’
After the emotional encounter, Rochelle appeared to make peace with Twinks. She told her: ‘I think out of here we’d be fine. It’s just very intense in here… And Russell, he’s just put my head straight.’
Later, speaking in the Diary Room, Rochelle admitted she was unsure what the following week might bring. She said: ‘I don’t know what’s in store for us next week, if it’s a horrible week, but I want to try now, for the last couple of weeks, to enjoy it.
Big Brother’s Rochelle said she would ‘keep her enemies close’ after her husband Russell warned her: ‘Right, listen to what I’m saying. There’s people in there that you need to keep away from’
During their reunion, housemates were ‘frozen in time’ and forbidden from speaking to their loved ones. Breaking the rule would end the meeting and cost their fellow housemates valuable time
After Russell’s visit, Rochelle made amends with Twinks, telling her: ‘I think out of here we’d be fine. It’s just very intense in here’ (pictured together with Harry)
Rochelle continued: ‘And how have I even got here, just don’t know… And he’s told me what he wanted to tell me. To be nicer to people. It’s in my head now, so I’m gonna try hard.’
‘I can’t help it, I am naturally a b***h, aren’t I, so it isn’t easy. But, I’m determined to keep my friends close and my enemies closer, as the saying goes.
‘And that’s all I wanna say. But I’m not an idiot, anyway… believe it or not.’
Before the family visits, Philip had been concerned that his critical comments about Rochelle might be exposed. The Queen Of Scotty Road also stressed that she would discover he had nominated her.
It is not yet clear exactly what will be revealed, but Philip received some advice of his own from his friend Paul. During the visit, Paul told him: ‘Tone down your voice a little bit. You can come across a bit, erm, abrupt.’
Frankie, who has come out as bisexual during his time on the show, was visited by his mother, Louise. She reassured him: ‘A lot of weight’s lifted off your shoulders…’
Yasmin’s friend Lauren also offered her encouragement, telling her to ‘…keep standing on business with these people…’
Meanwhile, Sam’s father Andrew urged him to challenge the established order, declaring: ‘Viva the revolution, I want you to take that hierarchy down…’
Friday night’s Big Brother episode will also feature the eviction of one housemate from Twinks, Samuel, Catrin and Harry, all of whom are facing the public vote.
Philip was advised by his friend Paul, who told him: ‘Tone down your voice a little bit. You can come across a bit, erm, abrupt’
Frankie, who has come out as bisexual on the show, was visited by his mother Louise, who told him: ‘A lot of weight’s lifted off your shoulders…’
Yasmin’s friend, Lauren, said: ‘…keep standing on business with these people…’
Sam’s father, Andrew, declared: ‘Viva the revolution, I want you to take that hierarchy down…’
This year’s series of Big Brother has been steeped in controversy, notably surrounding Omar’s behaviour towards his girlfriend Rihanna.
Omar and Rhianna have known each other for six weeks after meeting in the house and quickly claimed to be in love, but Omar has been accused of exhibiting ‘coercive and controlling’ behaviour towards her.
There have been mounting calls for ITV to intervene and boot him off the show and charity Women’s Aid has issued a statement calling his behaviour ‘worrying’.
In just one day, Big Brother received 7,138 Ofcom complaints relating to Omar’s treatment of Rhianna, making it one of the top 10 most complained-about reality TV moments.
It is also the third highest number of complaints for a single incident in Big Brother history, following Jade Goody’s racism row and Roxanne Pallett’s punch-gate.
Omar’s behaviour has even been branded ‘coercive and abusive’ by Women’s Aid.
Veronica Oakeshott, Head of External Affairs said: ‘The nature of abuse means that it often begins with ‘red flag’ coercive and controlling behaviours like isolating you from friends or repeatedly putting you down, before escalating into other forms of abuse.
‘Coercive control creates invisible chains and a sense of fear that impacts every element of a survivor’s life.
‘It’s worrying to see behaviours like this being given a platform in popular media like Big Brother. We’ve been contacted by many viewers who have expressed concern.
‘Not only does Big Brother risk minimising survivors’ experiences, it also risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment.
‘We must do better to call out and reject abuse as soon as we see it, so women and children can learn the signs and themselves feel confident in speaking up and seeking safety.
‘Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe.
‘The women in these programmes are real people and need real support.
‘We continue to urge television companies such as ITV to engage with experts like Women’s Aid to understand the nature of abuse and how they can do better to protect contestants. We would welcome a discussion with the Big Brother team.’
This year’s series of Big Brother has been steeped in controversy, notably surrounding Omar’s behaviour towards his girlfriend Rihanna
A Big Brother spokesman said: ‘All Housemates receive Respect and Inclusion training and an extensive briefing from the Big Brother Senior team to prepare them for living in the House and to set out Big Brother’s expectations for appropriate behaviour and language.
‘Housemates are monitored 24 hours a day and any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately.
‘Welfare and safeguarding are prioritised throughout the production, with a dedicated welfare team available to support Housemates before, during and after their time in the House.’
Big Brother continues on Friday night at 9pm on ITV and ITVX
