Big Brother launch gets record viewing figures

By Jennifer Hill

LONDON (Reuters) - Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the climax of the latest Big Brother launch, equalling the show's record for an opening night, Channel 4 said on Thursday.

Eleven contestants entered the house on Wednesday night for the eighth series, attracting an average 6.2 million viewers, a 26 percent share of those watching TV at the time.

The 11, all females, included the first ever set of twins, a member of the Women's Institute (WI) and a bisexual political protester.

A single man is expected to enter the house at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire on Friday to join the contest for the 100,000 pound prize.

The first 11 housemates are:

- twins Sam and Amanda Marchant, 18-year-old social work students from Newcastle.

The bubbly duo describe themselves as "twincredible" and have their own "twin song" to introduce themselves to boys.

- 60-year-old Lesley Brain, a retired head-hunter from Gloucestershire.