Reckon you've got what it takes to move into what is arguably television's most iconic house with cameras watching your every move? Now's your chance.
That's right - the wait is finally over.
Applications to become a housemate on the upcoming reboot series of Big Brother in 2023 are now officially open, reports The Manc.
After it was confirmed that the long-running reality show - which first aired on Channel 4 back in 2000, before switching over to Channel 5 from 2011 until 2018 - is set to make a highly-anticipated return to our screens in 2023, ITV has now been revealed that applications for housemates are open.
Just like fans of the show will remember well, ITV has promised that the reboot series - which takes its name from the character in George Orwell’s 1949 classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four - will see a new cast of carefully-selected housemates take up residence in the Big Brother House for up to six weeks.
The cast of fresh-faced contestants are to come from "all walks of life".
According to the ITV casting call, Big Brother is looking for the nation’s most "interesting, funny, and entertaining" characters from every corner of the country to take part.
Cameras will capture their every move, and the nation will follow every twist and turn.
Over the course of the six-week show, housemates face a series of clever tasks, nail-biting nominations, and live evictions - with the public once again playing a crucial role by voting throughout the series and ultimately determining the winner.
Producers have called the reboot a "refreshed" take on the series.
Speaking ahead of the return of the show, Paul Mortimer - Director of Reality Commissioning & Acquisitions and Controller at ITV2, ITVBe and CITV - said: “This refreshed, contemporary new series of Big Brother will contain all the familiar format points that kept viewers engaged and entertained the first time round, but with a brand new look and some additional twists that speak to today’s audience.
Applications to be a Big Brother housemate will close on 27 January 2023, and you can find out more information and get your applications here.
Featured Image - Channel 4
Art & Culture
Inside the historic Leeds mill transformed into a thriving hub for creatives
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Leeds Palestinian Film Festival announces dates for 12th annual edition
Clementine Hall
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
The Hoot -
10th October 2022 
