It has been confirmed on Big Brother’s Little Brother that housemates will not be informed of the death of Michael Jackson.
Jackson, the controversial self proclaimed “King of Pop”, passed away last night in Los Angeles following a suspected heart attack, aged just 50.
Big Brother executive producer Sharon Powers said: “It’s a fundamental rule of Big Brother that housemates are cut off from the outside world.”
Earlier a ’source’ told the Daily Mirror: “If it was a relative we would speak to their family and tell them in private.
“But to tell them about Michael Jackson would break the part of the rules that we don’t let them have any contact with the outside world while they’re in the house.”
Posting on her official Twitter page earlier, host Davina McCall added: “If they tell them about Michael, what about Farrah [Fawcett], what about telling Siavash about Iran? Where do they draw the line?”
In previous series the outside contact has been strictly enforced, notably with the BB6 housemates not being informed of the London Bombings. However, at times they have been informed of or allowed to see some news through tasks.
New arrivals may also influence the situation, as although they are not permitted to discuss events from the outside world, it is highly likely they would be tempted to share the information.
Meanwhile, Channel 4 will be screening a tribute documentary, Michael Jackson: A Life In Pop at 8pm tonight, repeating it at 11.10pm after the eviction. The 9pm eviction show will face competition from ITV1’s tribute programme, The Michael Jackson Story.
Jackson had three children and is also survived by his mother, father and eight siblings - including former Celebrity Big Brother housemates Jermaine and La Toya.
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