Big Brother has told housemates that the cooking and cleaning punishment handed to them for writing messages has come to an end.

Kara-Louise, Gerry, the twins and Jonty were informed on Wednesday that they were solely responsible for the household duties after scribbling in eyeliner on an envelope.

Reading from a laminate, Carole declared: "Big Brother would like to announce that the cooking and cleaning punishment housemates received regarding the use of writing materials is now over."

She revealed that all members of the group are now allowed to help with the chores, adding that Big Brother hoped they had "learned a lesson".

Free to re-enter her former domain, Carole soon rushed into the kitchen to rescue a pan of boiling water, before reallocating the duties in the house.

"I'll be a snot detector," suggested Ziggy. "When people have got bogies up their noses, I'll tell them." But the health worker had other ideas, giving him the job of drying the pots and watering the plants instead.