IT'S that time of year again - the start of 13 weeks glued to the television watching a group of fame-hungry people eat, sleep and argue.

Tonight sees the start of the ninth series of Big Brother, the so-called "reality" show that sees a bunch of unknowns thrown together in a goldfish bowl, competing for the chance to win a large sum of cash and vying for celebrity status.

For some previous housemates it has worked and they have become rich and famous - but the majority have disappeared into obscurity.

Three housemates to make it in to the Big Brother house over the past eight years were from Worcestershire. Tim Culley, Nush Nowak and Steph Smith, who was then known as Steph Coldicott, kept viewers entertained during Big Brothers 3 and 4 in 2002 and 2003. But where are they now? And how has the experience changed their lives?

Yoga-loving Nush Nowak was the ninth housemate to be booted out in Big Brother 4 in 2003. The vegetarian, who hails from Malvern, captured viewers' hearts with her playfulness and entertained them with her flirty antics with housemate Scott, including a raunchy kissing session during a drunken game of spin the bottle.

Since leaving the house Miss Nowak got together with TV researcher Sam Ornbo, who she now lives with in London, and ironically she now works for Endemol, the company that makes Big Brother.

"Taking part in Big Brother was fantastic," said the 28-year-old.

"As a result I got my great job as an assistant producer, and at the moment I am working on Colleen's Real Women with Colleen McLoughlin. I also met my lovely boyfriend after being on the show.

"I don't know if I will really have time to watch this series as I'm so busy at the moment."

Despite her hectic lifestyle in the capital, Miss Nowak still makes time to visit her family in Malvern.

She said: "I go back quite a lot and I do miss it. But I'm loving my life in London and everything is fantastic."

Former footballer's wife Steph Smith, from Redditch, was the only woman left in the Big Brother house after Miss Nowak was voted out. The two had shared the Big Brother experience together for nine weeks.

The bubbly character formed a close relationship with Big Brother 4 winner Cameron, which gripped the nation in the last few weeks, but she says they have now lost touch.

Since leaving the house Miss Smith has done several charity events and even started her own arts and crafts business.

Now Miss Smith, who has reverted to her maiden name, works at a high school in Birmingham as a head of house and learning co-ordinator.

She said: "Being in Big Brother did change my life, but not necessarily for the right reasons. Looking back now I don't think I would do it again, but I have no regrets."

Miss Smith, 33, said she also now does youth work in Redditch and was enjoying life out of the public eye.

Tim Culley, from Upton-upon-Severn, was a contestant in Big Brother 3 in 2002. He was drafted in after the shock departure of another contestant who could not bear the lifestyle, and eventually came fifth.

Your Worcester News was unable to contact Mr Culley, who became well-known on the programme for his catch phrase "comprende?", to see what he is doing now. His last known movements saw him move to Cape Town in South Africa to work for an advertising firm.

Mr Culley's father, Neil Culley, used to own the Swan Hotel and High Street restaurant Neilanos in Upton, before retiring and moving to Doncaster, Yorkshire.

Worcester was also home for a while to Big Brother 7 contestant Imogen Thomas. Miss Thomas, who was a former Miss Wales, was a student at the University of Worcester where she obtained a degree in health studies.

Since leaving she has done some television work and modelling and is alleged to have had a relationship with former Big Brother's Big Mouth host Russell Brand.

NINE YEARS OF BIG BROTHERl The Big Brother format was developed in 1999 in Holland by producer John de Mol, but has now become a hit in nearly 70 countries worldwide.

l The first winner in Britain was builder Craig Phillips, who used his prize money to pay for a friend's heart and lung transplant, and went on to become a TV DIY expert.

l Other winners have included Brian Dowling in 2001, Kate Lawler in 2002, Cameron Stout in 2004 and last year's winner Brian Belo.

l In 2004 police were called when the atmosphere inside the house turned explosive. The show's security men had to step in when tensions between outspoken contestants Emma Greenwood and Victor Ebuwa led to a mass brawl during what producers came to refer to as "fight night".

l Police were again called to the famous Elstree Film Studios, Hertfordshire, where the series was filmed, in 2005 when a group of Fathers 4 Justice protesters tried to invade the compound of sister show Celebrity Big Brother.