Locked away with a bunch of strangers in an environment specifically designed to push the housemates to their limits, it’s hardly a wonder that every year ‘Big Brother’ is responsible for some of the most explosive and outrageous arguments in reality TV history.
However, more often than you’d expect, these shocking (but usually gripping) rows spark from something totally innocuous and unimportant.
Here are just 15 of those moments when the ‘Big Brother’ house has exploded over something totally trivial…
1
Chocolates ('Celebrity Big Brother' 2014)
E M Welch/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Luisa Zissman vs. Lionel Blair
Aside from Lee Ryan's love triangle, Jim Davidson's wind-up and that weird task they all had to cavort around in PVC, we'll remember this series of 'CBB' for the blazing row between Lionel Blair and Luisa Zissman.
The two were forced to spend the night in a room where some forbidden chocolates and champagne were put just out of their reach, not that that stopped Luisa from grabbing them.
But when the rest of the group were punished, Lionel's story changed somewhat, which Luisa was having none of.
Click here to relive the argument.
Aside from Lee Ryan's love triangle, Jim Davidson's wind-up and that weird task they all had to cavort around in PVC, we'll remember this series of 'CBB' for the blazing row between Lionel Blair and Luisa Zissman.
The two were forced to spend the night in a room where some forbidden chocolates and champagne were put just out of their reach, not that that stopped Luisa from grabbing them.
But when the rest of the group were punished, Lionel's story changed somewhat, which Luisa was having none of.
Click here to relive the argument.
2
Oxo cubes ('Celebrity Big Brother', 2007)
Sonny Meddle/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 4
Jade Goody vs. Shilpa Shetty
It was the argument that sparked an international discussion about bullying and racism. Opinion pieces were written, news items were suddenly devoted to a three-week reality show, effigies were literally burned.
But what's often forgotten is that the whole thing erupted over an Oxo cube.
Click here to relive the argument.
It was the argument that sparked an international discussion about bullying and racism. Opinion pieces were written, news items were suddenly devoted to a three-week reality show, effigies were literally burned.
But what's often forgotten is that the whole thing erupted over an Oxo cube.
Click here to relive the argument.
3
Porridge ('Big Brother', 2006)
Channel 4
Nikki Grahame vs. Richard Newman
Any 'Big Brother' fan will tell you, Nikki Grahame is never more than the drop of a hat away from a meltdown about something or other.
During series seven, Nikki blew up over a broken mp3 player, the temperature, a mouth ulcer, bottled water, missing out on an award, the arrival of Susie Verrico... and porridge.
Yes, when Richard ate the last of the corn flakes, Nikki was not a happy bunny, raging in the Diary Room: "We're running out of sugar as well, because of him, and then he goes and finishes off a massive mountain of corn flakes.
"And it's like, 'oh look there's porridge oats, they're good for you they're healthy'... why don't you have some then, you fat ox?"
Wow.
Click here to relive the argument.
Any 'Big Brother' fan will tell you, Nikki Grahame is never more than the drop of a hat away from a meltdown about something or other.
During series seven, Nikki blew up over a broken mp3 player, the temperature, a mouth ulcer, bottled water, missing out on an award, the arrival of Susie Verrico... and porridge.
Yes, when Richard ate the last of the corn flakes, Nikki was not a happy bunny, raging in the Diary Room: "We're running out of sugar as well, because of him, and then he goes and finishes off a massive mountain of corn flakes.
"And it's like, 'oh look there's porridge oats, they're good for you they're healthy'... why don't you have some then, you fat ox?"
Wow.
Click here to relive the argument.
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4
Shoes ('Celebrity Big Brother', 2016)
Cris Faga/ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Gemma Collins vs. Tiffany Pollard
Gemma Collins got right in Tiffany Pollard's good books at the beginning of 'CBB', but things took a turn around the middle of the series, when the HBIC discovered that the GC had already taken them back.
When she declared that she didn't want the shoes anyway because there "were stones missing", Gemma remarked that it was because Tiffany's "big feet had knocked them out".
We'll not get into her full response, but it ended in one of the most memorable and outrageous Diary Room entries in 'Big Brother' history.
Click here to relive the argument.
Gemma Collins got right in Tiffany Pollard's good books at the beginning of 'CBB', but things took a turn around the middle of the series, when the HBIC discovered that the GC had already taken them back.
When she declared that she didn't want the shoes anyway because there "were stones missing", Gemma remarked that it was because Tiffany's "big feet had knocked them out".
We'll not get into her full response, but it ended in one of the most memorable and outrageous Diary Room entries in 'Big Brother' history.
Click here to relive the argument.
5
A smudged painting ('Big Brother', 2008)
Channel 4
The entire 'Big Brother' 9 house
It was dubbed Fight Night 2.0 when practically all the housemates became involved in a furious group row, ending in Dennis McHugh spitting in fellow contestant Mohamed Mohamed's face, and being swiftly escorted out the back door.
What sparked it all off, though? Why, Rex Newmark smudging some pizza on a painting, of course.
It was dubbed Fight Night 2.0 when practically all the housemates became involved in a furious group row, ending in Dennis McHugh spitting in fellow contestant Mohamed Mohamed's face, and being swiftly escorted out the back door.
What sparked it all off, though? Why, Rex Newmark smudging some pizza on a painting, of course.
6
Rihanna's age ('Big Brother', 2007)
Rex/Shutterstock/Channel 4
Charley Uchea vs. Chanelle Hayes
Listen, we all love showing off how much we know about celebrities, but how do you go from a disagreement about how old Rihanna is one minute to a full-blown screaming match the next?
Sample lines of this row - which literally started over a celeb's age - include "you and your big shitting mouth, what comes out of is constant shit", "you wanna dye your roots and take a good look in the mirror because you're a state" and, of course, "I wanna be Posh Spice, you look fuck all like her, darling".
Click here to relive the argument.
Listen, we all love showing off how much we know about celebrities, but how do you go from a disagreement about how old Rihanna is one minute to a full-blown screaming match the next?
Sample lines of this row - which literally started over a celeb's age - include "you and your big shitting mouth, what comes out of is constant shit", "you wanna dye your roots and take a good look in the mirror because you're a state" and, of course, "I wanna be Posh Spice, you look fuck all like her, darling".
Click here to relive the argument.
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7
Bran flakes ('Big Brother', 2017)
Rex/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Sukhvinder Javeed vs. Kayleigh Morris
There was a lot more to this argument than just bran flakes, of course. There was also hair-brushing. More specifically, the fact Kayleigh wanted to brush her hair in the kitchen, which Sukhvinder was less than pleased about.
Click here to relive the argument.
There was a lot more to this argument than just bran flakes, of course. There was also hair-brushing. More specifically, the fact Kayleigh wanted to brush her hair in the kitchen, which Sukhvinder was less than pleased about.
Click here to relive the argument.
8
Kosher wine ('Celebrity Big Brother' 2015)
Design Pics Inc/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Janice Dickinson vs. Jenna Jameson
Self-professed original supermodel Janice Dickinson rubbed pretty much all her housemates up the wrong way at some point or another, usually by failing to respect boundaries and putting herself first.
When she drank Jenna's Kosher wine, however, things took a turn pretty quickly, and the adult film actress was quick to put Janice in her place.
Click here to relive the argument.
Self-professed original supermodel Janice Dickinson rubbed pretty much all her housemates up the wrong way at some point or another, usually by failing to respect boundaries and putting herself first.
When she drank Jenna's Kosher wine, however, things took a turn pretty quickly, and the adult film actress was quick to put Janice in her place.
Click here to relive the argument.
9
Underwear ('Celebrity Big Brother', 2007)
Rex/Shutterstock
Leo Sayer vs. Big Brother
In 2007, 'CBB' was rather overshadowed by the racism scandal sparked by Jade Goody and co., meaning Leo Sayer's explosive exit is oft-overlooked.
But for those who have forgotten all about the disco star's exit, it began with him swearing at producers, breaking out via the fire exit and getting into a tussle with security, who he promptly told to "fuck off".
All that... and it turned out the underwear he was accusing them of withholding was in his suitcase all along.
Click here to relive the argument.
In 2007, 'CBB' was rather overshadowed by the racism scandal sparked by Jade Goody and co., meaning Leo Sayer's explosive exit is oft-overlooked.
But for those who have forgotten all about the disco star's exit, it began with him swearing at producers, breaking out via the fire exit and getting into a tussle with security, who he promptly told to "fuck off".
All that... and it turned out the underwear he was accusing them of withholding was in his suitcase all along.
Click here to relive the argument.
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10
CGI ('Celebrity Big Brother' 2014)
Artur Cupak/imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Leslie Jordan vs. Gary Busey
Gary Busey drove all his housemates to the edge during his stint in the house, including 'American Horror Story' Leslie Jordan, simply by getting the acronym CGI confused.
While Gary insisted the G stood for "graphics", an exasperated Leslie was insistent it was short for "generated".
For what it's worth, Leslie was right, but it was Gary who wound up winning the whole show.
Click here to relive the argument.
Gary Busey drove all his housemates to the edge during his stint in the house, including 'American Horror Story' Leslie Jordan, simply by getting the acronym CGI confused.
While Gary insisted the G stood for "graphics", an exasperated Leslie was insistent it was short for "generated".
For what it's worth, Leslie was right, but it was Gary who wound up winning the whole show.
Click here to relive the argument.
11
A cream pie ('Celebrity Big Brother', 2013)
Channel 5
Julie Goodyear vs. Coleen Nolan
"You should have felt the impact of that pie in my fucking face", Julie Goodyear claimed. Iconic.
Click here to briefly relive their argument in Julie's 'Best Bits' montage.
"You should have felt the impact of that pie in my fucking face", Julie Goodyear claimed. Iconic.
Click here to briefly relive their argument in Julie's 'Best Bits' montage.
12
A verruca ('Big Brother' 2002)
Burger/Phanie/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 4
Jade Goody vs. the rest of the house
15 years later, still one of the most memorable arguments in 'Big Brother' history, a verruca provided plenty of controversy way back in the show's early years, with Jade's cries of "am I minging?" becoming synonymous with the third series.
Click here to relive the argument.
15 years later, still one of the most memorable arguments in 'Big Brother' history, a verruca provided plenty of controversy way back in the show's early years, with Jade's cries of "am I minging?" becoming synonymous with the third series.
Click here to relive the argument.
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13
Bananas ('Celebrity Big Brother', 2015)
WestEnd61/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Alicia Douvall vs. Katie Hopkins
Alicia Douvall was already far from the most popular star in the 'CBB' compound when it was revealed she'd been hiding bananas from the rest of the house.
Revealed, we should add, because she did it in full view of everyone.
Chastised by her housemates, Katie Hopkins told her bluntly: "That's not gonna work, babes. You can't be putting bananas aside. This isn't the war years."
Click here to relive the argument.
Alicia Douvall was already far from the most popular star in the 'CBB' compound when it was revealed she'd been hiding bananas from the rest of the house.
Revealed, we should add, because she did it in full view of everyone.
Chastised by her housemates, Katie Hopkins told her bluntly: "That's not gonna work, babes. You can't be putting bananas aside. This isn't the war years."
Click here to relive the argument.
14
Bananas ('Big Brother' 2007)
WestEnd61/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 4
Shabnam Paryani vs. Charley Uchea
Banana-hiding is nothing new, though, and eight years before it was Alicia Douvall who was caught red-handed (or should it be yellow-handed) sneaking bananas.
The clip of their row isn't available, regrettably, but quick here to relive the cover of 'Shout' released by Shabnam after leaving the house. Why not, eh?
Banana-hiding is nothing new, though, and eight years before it was Alicia Douvall who was caught red-handed (or should it be yellow-handed) sneaking bananas.
The clip of their row isn't available, regrettably, but quick here to relive the cover of 'Shout' released by Shabnam after leaving the house. Why not, eh?
15
Bananas ('Big Brother' 2011)
WestEnd61/REX/Shutterstock/Channel 5
Harry Blake vs. the rest of the house
Seriously - what is it with bananas?
Harry faced the wrath of his housemates when he deliberately sabotaged the shopping task as part of a prank, ordering 500 bananas, 50 bottles of ketchup and a lot of food dye.
Relive the ensuing argument here.
Seriously - what is it with bananas?
Harry faced the wrath of his housemates when he deliberately sabotaged the shopping task as part of a prank, ordering 500 bananas, 50 bottles of ketchup and a lot of food dye.
Relive the ensuing argument here.
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