Birmingham pair swap Big Top for Big Brother!

Jan 3 2008 By Will Oliphant

ROLLER-skating brother and sister circus act Victor and Emilia Arata are among the new crop of fame seekers to take part in the latest Channel 4 Big Brother spin-off show.

The Birmingham pair have performed together at circuses around Europe as well as for Princess Anne and the Prince of Wales.

Until recently the couple, from Hamstead, were starring in the Palazzo Variety Show in Berlin.

They will be among 12 "talented" new contestants due to go into the famous house tonight for a new series of Big Brother with a difference - Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack.

Housemates, who are competing for a share in the £50,000 prize, will be controlled by a series of celebrities who will take on the role of Big Brother giving out tasks and issuing punishments to.

The first celeb housemates will have to face is Matt Lucas, who has been briefed by programme producers to cause as much mayhem as possible.

Other celebs expected to make an appearance are Jimmy Carr, Joan Rivers, Ian Wright and Malcolm McLaren.

But the brother and sister should have no trouble putting up with the hardships of the show as between them they have already survived the considerable dangers in their act.

Emilia, aged 18, who is also a contortionist, has suffered a catalogue of injuries including a broken knee, shoulder, wrist, fingers and ribs. Victor, aged 19, has broken a knee, fingers and has an elbow held together by metal screws.

The pair will be joined on the show by other young aspiring talents including a racing driver, an entrepreneur, a fashion d e s i g n e r a n d a classically-trained musician. n Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack kicks off on Channel 4 at 9pm.