In the run-up to this year's Big Brother - the 'blast from the past' series which sees contestants from past years returning to the house - we started reminiscing about the characters we came across in years gone by.

There were tears, tantrums, sex scandals and whirlwind romances - and the latest series of the Channel 5 show is set to be the most explosive yet; as they invite former housemates back - and promise to mess with their head with 'time-based disturbances.' Emma Willis, 39, says in the new advert that "days will turn into nights, time will stop, rewind and tasks will get turned on their head" in the 'Timebomb' themed series, as co-presenter Rylan Clark dramatically swipes papers off the desk in despair.

 

 

The Channel 5 series is set to air on Tuesday May 12. Here are the ten housemates we would love to see make a comeback to Big Brother.

 

 

Nasty Nick - Big Brother 1

 

 

Like a pantomine villain, Nick Bateman dominated the first series of Big Brother with his underhanded tactics, persuading everyone who to vote and telling compulsive lies about being in the army - for which he showed himself up in one of the assault course tasks.​ A creepy Machiavellian of sorts, he even said his wife died in a car crash - and was finally confronted by the series winner Craig in one of the most nail-biting moments in 00s TV history. Though universally loathed, he set the tone for the rest of the series - there's always one bad apple - or three. Or four.

 

 

Nikki Grahame - Big Brother 7

 

 

"WHO IS SHE?! WHERE DID YOU FIND HER?" Nikki Grahame is probably one of the most quoted housemates from Big Brother. She was annoying, yes, and very moany - but she is a guilty pleasure and would probably rile housemates up enough to make for a good show.

 

Nadia Almada - Big Brother 5

 

 

We all remember Portuguese Nadia crawling around desperately looking for cigarette ends to smoke and showering in her high heels. She wasn't afraid to confront housemates - particularly the Slickman Victor - and had a raucous laugh which endeared her to viewers and housemates. After Big Brother she released a single called A Little Bit of Action, and turned on the Christmas lights in Hollyoaks. We'd quite like to see her back after she fought with Coolio on Ultimate Big Brother.

 

Craig Coates - Big Brother 6

 

Hairdresser Craig's infatuation with ladies' man Anthony knew no bounds throughout his time in the House. He famously said he "could turn Anthony if he had boobs," but his lack of them did not stop him repeatedly trying anyway. His unwavering loyalty to the eventual Big Brother winner was at best, endearing; at worst, very alarming.. After Zimbabwean beauty Makosi had sex with Anthony and said she 'could be pregnant,' he lashed out and called her a "f****g bitch." An underrated contestant, and a lot of fun.

 

Brian Belo - Big Brother 8

 

 

Credited with coming up with TOWIE - and winning £1 million out of court for claiming that they used his idea - Brian was the Joey Essex of the Big Brother house. He once asked his housemates if "the sun up there was the same sun my mum sees in Essex." Wow. Not the brightest spark, but nevertheless a lovable rogue.

 

 

Michelle Bass - Big Brother 5

 

 

Geordie girl Michelle was one of the Lipstick Bitches - the gossipy trio which also included housemates Marco and Nadia. She was bit of a style icon back in 2004 -with her slicked back Sloany ponytail and gypsy belts. She never let Chicken Stu out of her sight the whole time, and managed to stay with him a year after the show ended. She's since returned to the House for the 10 year Anniversary Celebrations and Ultimate Big Brother in 2010. Her 'bunny boiler' side came out to play when they put Michelle in a spy room to watch lover Stuart's every move, and she told him: "I'm always watching" *Shudder.*

 

 

Rodrigo Lopes - Big Brother 9

 

 

Now living as woman rebekah Shelton, Rodrigo was a favourite in the ninth series back in 2008. Big Brother cruelly tricked him into believing that he was hanging about with the Queen, who he was deeply obsessed with - but it was an impersonator all along. He even sang the national anthem for the woman. Our hearts were breaking for him!

 

 

Anna Nolan - Big Brother 1

 

 

A gay Irish former nun, Anna's dry wit and humour won over viewers in the first series of Big Brother. She is now a respected TV presenter and an Irish household name - and is still good friends with former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall.

 

 

Charley Uchea - Big Brother 8

 

 

The ex-stripper and self-proclaimed 'IT girl' was deeply unpopular in the Big Brother house - she was booed for her diva-esque display when she first arrived at the venue - but her onscreen antics were TV gold. She was so despied that she gained the biggest voting percentage for eviction in the history of Big Brother. Charley became known for her outspoken views and barbed comments - she famously told Chanelle that she was a "Posh Wannabe". Well, if the shoe fits...

 

 

Makosi Musambasi - Big Brother 6

 

 

Known for her promiscuous, flirty nature and lying about having hot tub sex with heartthrob Anthony - and thereafter telling housemates that she 'might be pregnant' - there was never a dull moment with Makosi. After Big Brother, she was deported to Nigeria for using a family member's passport to get into the UK in 2012. She is doing pretty well with her own politics show in Nigeria, Makosi Today, and has also released a book. She also had a bizarre addiction to cherryade. She came third in the series with 8.7% of the vote - so despite coming across mentally unstable, she was quite a hit with viewers.