BB11 housemates to enter Ultimate BB

Channel 4 has confirmed that housemates from Big Brother 11 will go up against past stars of the show in its planned Ultimate Big Brother finale.

The broadcaster has promised "one final showdown with a house full to the brim of classic Big Brother characters" when this year's series ends.

A statement from the channel said: "On August 24 the 11th (and final series on Channel 4) will end abruptly, much to the current housemates' surprise.

"Little do they know they are competing not just to win this current series but also to challenge for the chance to join some of the best loved and most reviled faces from past series in The Ultimate Big Brother."

The lineup of Ultimate Big Brother has not yet been confirmed. The broadcaster is currently contacting some of the 180 former housemates and 68 stars from the celebrity shows.

"All returning housemates will enter the house to submit themselves to Big Brother's control once more," the statement continued. "However, as ever, the true power lies with the viewers, whose votes decide which former housemates are evicted and who will be crowned the Ultimate Big Brother housemate."