Just when reality TV viewers thought Big Brother could never shock them again, Channel 4 has unveiled a very surprising house for the tenth series.

Pictures released today show a property that seems to have been hit so hard by the credit crunch that all of its contents have been repossessed. The house has no beds, no living room furniture and, strangely for a show famous for its tabloid-friendly bikini shots, no pool.

The back garden contains the house’s only furniture – four plastic chairs – but has shrunk since the last series. There is, however, enough room for a bright red bus stop, complete with uncomfortable-looking benches.

The contestants, due to enter the house on Thursday evening, will also find the view is markedly different to those enjoyed by previous housemates.

Gone are the mosaics and gaudy statues of the ninth series, and in their place is what can only be described as a sculpture of a giant dust mite.

Despite speculation that Davina McCall was to quit the show, the presenter will return to host Thursday's live launch show and the subsequent series.

Last week she defended the controversial show against critics who claim it should be retired now that its ratings are falling.

“It’s a great basic format: lock up a group of strangers for the summer, isolate them, watch them interact, set them tasks, evict them. It’s soap opera, great entertainment. There’s no reason for it to end. Why should it end, as long as it attracts audiences and makes money for Channel 4?” she said.

Big Brother starts on June 4 on Channel 4, 9pm

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