Sleepless nights in the BB house

From yesterday evening, the contestants were told that they are collectively allowed just four hours of sleep until 10pm tomorrow, with a clock ticking down as soon as one or more of them nods off.

And Big Brother did its best to lull them to sleep - providing cheese, wine and hot chocolate, banning alarm clocks and transforming the house into a cosy haven.

Pictures: The housemates try to stay awake

Contestants were told to wear pyjamas and were given white dressing gowns, slippers and teddy bears. If the housemates fail the task, they will be on basic rations for a week.

Housemates can even earn themselves an extra hour of sleep by becoming sheep and jumping over fences in the garden, in a twist on the "counting sheep" method of getting to sleep.

The boys took to the garden to discuss the mammoth task. "I need Gerry not to talk to me about Greek history," said Jonathan, "because that'd send me off in two seconds." Ziggy seemed more keen to get some sleep and fail the task, saying he didn't need extra rations.

"If we don't get any food, fine," said Ziggy. "It's the people who have to do without cigarettes that'll be climbing the walls."

"I think we can do it," Brian said. "But I think it's going to **** us up. I don't think we'll be conscious for the rest of the week."

"I'm exhausted," sighed Ziggy. "I could literally crash now and go to bed for the rest of the night."

"It's gonna be horrible," agreed Brian. "This is a cruel one." Later, Nicky confessed to Tracey that she had a crush on rough-and-ready tree surgeon Liam, chosen by housemates earlier this week to receive a bonus prize of £100,000.

"I like him, but I don't know if he thinks I'm serious, or if I'm joking," she confided.
"I'm not looking for love. He's a nice guy - I like spending time with him, I like flirting with him a little bit."

"It'd be nice to get him in a corner and find out what kind of women he does like," Tracey mused.
"You see, I don't have a type," said Nicky. "But I like him because he's got a good sense of humour and you can have a decent conversation with him.

He makes me laugh, he really cares about his family and he's a bit rough around the edges."