Big Brother UK is back on our TV screens after a five-year hiatus (this time rebooted by ITV and hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best), and the series has already been praised for its diversity, as housemate Hallie came out to her fellow contestants as transgender during Monday night’s episode. The 18-year-old youth worker from London was one of 16 housemates to enter the Big Brother house this week, with the line-up also featuring Wolverhampton makeup artist and Muslim Farida, and Coventry DJ and amputee Dylan. More than 2.5 million people tuned in to Sunday night’s launch show, with the series already branded “too woke” by the usual critics - despite past winners including trans woman Nadia Almada and deaf Welshman Sam Evans. Many fans of the show have responded to the negativity by pointing out Big Brother has “always been diverse”. Alongside Farida having a chat with housemates about halal meat, Monday’s episode also saw Hallie tell the group she felt she “wasn’t being 100 per cent authentic in myself” when she entered the house the day before. She said: “So I just thought I would let everyone know, I’m trans, if you didn’t know already. I just thought I’d make that loud and clear. “So yeah, I’m a trans woman, if you didn’t know. Just wanted to bring that up.” Hallie received an outpouring of support from fellow housemates after coming out, with everyone sharing their pronouns as a result. During a discussion with 25-year-old barman Jenkin and 40-year-old NHS manager Kerry, Hallie revealed she would use the £100,000 prize money on a “designer vagina” if she went on to be crowned winner of the reality TV show. “The mind doesn’t match the body – that’s the best way to describe being trans. I have a female mind, but the body just doesn’t match,” she explained. After Monday’s episode was broadcast, Hallie received a huge outpouring of support online for the “powerful” statement made in the current “political climate”: Even narrator Marcus Bentley addressed the online reaction to the series, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Diverse enough for you?” Absolutely, Marcus. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Marcus Thuram FIFA 23 World Cup Showdown SBC is now live. Here's how to complete it and if it's worth it.

Young people challenging Montana officials over their inaction on climate change are expected back in state court on Tuesday in the ongoing trial over a lawsuit that environmentalists hope will spur changes in the fossil fuel-friendly state

By Sam Tobin LONDON Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey said on Friday he "definitely misread the signs" when he

Gareth Wyn Jones, star of BBC series The Family Farm, has launched a search for a butcher who will help him hunt and prepare grey squirrels to be used in burgers. The farmer, 56, plans to serve up the invasive squirrel as part of the menu at his pop-up restaurant in the forthcoming Welsh Game Fair at the Faenol Estate, near Bangor, in September. Jones launched an appeal to help him source grey squirrels and is encouraging visitors to the fair to think of the non-native rodent as “any other wild food” when they tuck into his burgers. The pop-up will mark Jones’ first time running a restaurant. The farmer, who farms near Llanfairfechan in the foothills of the Carneddau Range, said: “Grey squirrels are not native to this country. They were introduced from America and they have led to the decline of our own red squirrel population. “Squirrel meat is like any other wild food, eating them is like foraging for anything else. We have to remember they are a pest. On the farm if I have too many rats, crows or whatever, I have to deal with them.” He added: “What’s the difference with squirrels? Their meat is a by-product so why waste it? It’s a fantastic wild food. “All I need now is an alternative butcher to supply the grey squirrels and it’ll be ready, steady, cook.” Grey squirrels from North America were introduced in the UK in the 1800s and are a major threat to native red squirrel populations. They outcompete the red squirrels for food and space, as they are prolific breeders. Grey squirrels also carry a virus called squirrelpox, which they are actually immune to, but can spread the disease to red squirrels, therefore decimating the local populations. The Woodland Trust describes the introduction of grey squirrels in the UK as having had a “disastrous impact” on red squirrels, which are the UK’s only native squirrel species. Red squirrels are a legally protected species. It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or disturb them. Jones, who has more than a million followers across his social media channels combined, said the best way to “change things” is to eat “food that’s been produced here”, including game like grey squirrel. James Gower, chief executive of Stable Events, the organiser of the Welsh Game Fair, said: “Our aim is to celebrate everything that is best about the countryside and rural pursuits, including the wider benefits of conservation and field sports. “The pop up restaurant will provide a real showcase for the finest fare the countryside has to offer,” he added. “I can’t think of a better mine host than Gareth Wyn Jones who is passionate about promoting proper local produce – and has great likeability. “The idea of putting squirrel burgers on the menu is inspired because it means we can find a good use for a real rural pest and tantalise people’s tastebuds at the same time.” Read More Men sometimes need help – and I’m determined to start asking for it ‘Oblivious’ woman defended after walking through beach wedding: ‘They don’t own the beach’ King’s Guard shares sweet exchange with young boy wearing royal uniform

MLB Rumors: Where could Brewers trade Corbin Burnes?Just a few days ago, FanSided MLB insider previewed some offseason trade targets, highlighting Corbin Burnes in particular. Burnes has a year left of arbitration left on his deal, and it seems more likely by the day that the Brewers don't in...

An annual study reviewing diversity hiring for Major League Baseball reported a record low of Black players on opening day rosters for the second straight year

Zach Wilson is still struggling with easy reads in Jets training camp.

Jessica Sanders and her team aim for artifact accessibility while preserving the site's integrity and explore alternatives after Titan sub incident

The release of Palestinian detainees comes in exchange for a group of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Sri Lanka pushed England closer to the World Cup exit door on Thursday when they bowled out the defending...

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON A senior U.S. Treasury official on Monday said there were signs of "potential improvement"