Big Brother 8 hopefuls are already being spied on by the show's team, according to a report.

Producers have apparently ensured that every person on the list of potential housemates is being watched at work and during nights out. The move is a response to last year's claim that the show had put several vulnerable people into the house, including Shahbaz Chauhdry, who threatened to kill himself.

A source told the Daily Star: "It wants to know everything it can about the people. It's to make sure there are absolutely no surprises.

"They have to get it right this time because there was so much negative press around the series last year and this year's celebrity show. If there is another backlash it could mean the end of the show."

The report also claims that instead of the usual £100,000 prize fund, Big Brother 8 contestants will have personal bank accounts and compete against each other to earn cash.

The insider added: "The housemates are going to have money on the brain from the moment the front door shuts behind them. And if they want to win they have to be prepared to play dirty. This is Big Brother at its most evil."