Bidding war to join BB

A bidding war has broken out on eBay as buyers offer thousands of pounds for a chance to enter the Big Brother house.

A seller claims to be offering one of 100 golden tickets, hidden in KitKat bars across the country, to a one-off show where one winner will be randomly chosen to enter the house.

The price rose by almost £2,000 in five minutes, topping £5,000 this morning. But an eBay spokesman reminded bidders there is always the potential for fakes, adding: "We'd urge anyone thinking of placing a bid to read our tips on safe trading first."

The first alleged ticket was up for sale hours after the launch of Big Brother 7 had scored Channel 4 its biggest ever opening audience.

More than seven million tuned in to see the new housemates. TV chiefs hope this latest series - the longest at 13 weeks - will stir up enough controversy to prove an effective rival to BBC and ITV World Cup coverage.

Today royal experts dismissed as "nonsense" the claim by Old Harrovian housemate George Askew, 19, that his mother Rosemary, 49, was once "private secretary" to Prince Charles.

Clarence House confirmed she had never been private secretary. But a spokeswoman would not say whether she had been employed in another role.