Big Brother contestants in Germany are stunned into silence as they’re told about coronavirus on TV


Big Brother contestants in Germany have finally been told about the coronavirus pandemic.

The 14 contestants, who are being housed in Cologne, were stunned into silence as they were informed about the worldwide crisis by host Jochen Schropp during a live televised episode, which aired ahead of its regular slot at 7pm on Tuesday evening.  

The group – who according to the Guardian were some of the last people to be informed about the deadly virus – were also given the opportunity to ask questions to the show’s resident doctor Dr Andreas Kaniewski, as well as to speak to their loved ones at home. 

Finally! Big Brother contestants in Germany were stunned into silence as they were told about the coronavirus pandemic, in a live episode which aired ahead of its regular slot on Tuesday

Plans to keep the contestants in the dark unless a relative became were overturned following an uproar on social media over the decision. 

On Tuesday night, from behind a glass screen, host Jochen Schropp and Big Brother resident doctor Dr Andreas Kaniewski broke the news to the housemates.

Speaking in German, Jochen said: ‘There is currently a lot going on in world events since you entered the house. 

‘We’d like to inform you as to why we’re here and why we’re behind a glass screen.’  

Messengers: The 14 contestants were informed about the worldwide crisis by host Jochen Schropp while resident doctor Dr Andreas Kaniewski was on hand to answer questions

Messengers: The 14 contestants were informed about the worldwide crisis by host Jochen Schropp while resident doctor Dr Andreas Kaniewski was on hand to answer questions

Special circumstances: The group were also told that they would be allowed to speak to their loved ones at home

Special circumstances: The group were also told that they would be allowed to speak to their loved ones at home

The camera panned around the seating area as the housemates fell into stunned silence as they were brought up to speed on the coronavirus. 

‘COVID-19 has basically spread across the world in recent days, triggering a global pandemic.

‘This is a disease similar to the flu, and is mainly dangerous for older people,’ explained Jochen.

Easing the contestants’ fears, he added: ‘We’re going to allow you to speak to your families so you can rest easy. And you can communicate with them as they are all okay.’   

Ignorance is bliss? Big Brother contestants in Germany hadn't known a thing about the coronavirus pandemic before Tuesday (contestants pictured on the show)

Ignorance is bliss? Big Brother contestants in Germany hadn’t known a thing about the coronavirus pandemic before Tuesday (contestants pictured on the show)

The producers initially defended their first decision not to enlighten the housemates and told local newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung they would only be informed in certain circumstances.

But the channel which airs the reality programme – Sat.1 – faced backlash online from viewers who suggested it was unfair not to tell the housemates.

Many took to Twitter to air their grievances over the situation.

One wrote: ‘I read today that contestants on Big Brother, Germany have no idea what’s going on in the outside world with the Corona Virus and TV company is debating whether to tell them! What a liberty!’ 

Another penned: ‘So are we gonna talk about how the members of Big Brother in Germany currently have no idea about the coronavirus and nobody is allowed to tell them?’ 

A third said: ‘There’s people in the big brother Germany house who have been their since Feb 6th and they have no idea about coronavirus [mind blown emoji]’.

Another impassioned viewer said: ‘People on Big Brother Germany, Brazil, Canada haven’t been told about Covid-19.

‘I’ve read some f***ed up s***t recently but that is f***ed up.’

Show bosses have also insisted that ‘special hygiene measures’ have been taken to protect the contestants from getting the infection.

Most of the housemates entered the show at its inception on February 6, when the global threat of coronavirus seemed unlikely and only cases in Wuhan, China were confirmed.    

Four more contestants were introduced to the house on March 6, just three days before the country reported its first coronavirus death. 

Since the show began, it has only been interrupted in the same way once before, as in 2001 the American version of the show broke the news to contestants about 9/11 when one relative was presumed missing. 

Currently there are two other versions of Big Brother airing across the globe in Brazil, Canada where it can presumed the housemates are equally clueless.

Big Brother Australia began filming in Manly, Sydney, three weeks ago, however it has been pre-recorded for the first time ever and their is no set airdate.

According to The Australian, Channel Seven has chosen not to tell the contestants about the health crisis while they’re in self-isolation. 

Coronavirus was confirmed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11. The first case in Australia was reported in January.

The Big Brother set is possibly one of the safest quarantine zones in Sydney.

The housemates are in total isolation in a purpose-built compound, which is understood to be well supplied with food and essentials.

They aren’t told about major news events until after they’ve been eliminated, but an exception was made in this instance.

Australia has more than 300 confirmed coronavirus cases, including five deaths, as of Monday afternoon.

Of the five deaths, four were in New South Wales, where Big Brother is being filmed.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment. 

Big Brother Australia, which is being pre-recorded for the first time in its history, has no confirmed airdate. 

Seven’s programming chief Angus Ross told TV Tonight in January that the reality show would likely launch before the Olympics in July.

Despite no longer being a live format, viewers can still vote for their preferred winner, but it’s unclear if there will be a live finale like previous seasons.

Big Brother contests aren’t the only people who have been left unaware of the pandemic.

Jared Leto has been left stunned after emerging from a 12-day desert retreat to discover the spread of coronavirus has now become a global pandemic.

The Oscar winner, 48, was shocked to learn that much of the world was taking extreme measures to fight COVID-19, with countless people self-isolating at home.