Ananova:

The maker's of the German version of Big Brother are set to push the contest to a new level by extending the time spent in the house to a year.

The fifth series of the German show, which has had audiences in the past gripped with lesbian kissing and erotic scenes in the pool, is set to start on March 1 and carry on for a year, say Endemol.

Contestants are battling it out for one million euros, the equivalent of £690,000.

The participants will also be separated into three different housing units - including a survival camp, a luxury villa and an average flat.

All of the units will be set up in Cologne. Where each candidate will be placed depends on their "social status", said Endemol.