A housemates grandad died and TMZ are reporting about this 'rare' instance where the housemate was told about his grandads passing . (although he is Ariana Grande's brother so likely to make headlines anyway)

These days you may aswell let the housemates from our version go home to their own beds every night and return in the morning to film the show.

What a contrast !

In the old days of BB UK I think HMs gave a list of things that might happen while they were in the house that they would want to be told about such as exam results

I remember Dawn from BB7 used it as a code for her family to tell her if she was popular, she walked instead of facing eviction.

Yep they stitched her right up. She didn't even come across that bad. Serves her right.

She tried to walk, because her 'sister was ill' but then stupidly underestimated the power of the house microphones. She whispered to some if them about her code, BB found out and ejected her.
I remember Jonathan leaving because his granny died. I think she was about 104.
There was actually more controversy a few years ago when a member of a HM's family died and they weren't told.

Wow. Ariana Grande does not look that old!

Yes indeed. I think someone assumed that HMs were told about just one thing and commented on Shell choosing to learn her exam results rather than about the health of her family, at which point Shell (or someone claiming to be her at least) came on and exploded.

AHA - here it is.

Incidentally, did anyone ever ask Victor for a full account of Fight Night when he was on here? Shell mentions knives being waved...

I don't know about family member but I remember Carol wasn't told her beloved pet snail or something had died.

I can see why they'd be told if a family member died, Shell getting her exam results would have been quite important too. But I agree, what a contrast from our series! Various outside contact is quite normal for the UK so it's weird to see it be such huge news in the US. I haven't watched the US series before this year but I read it's very rare, 9/11 is one of the only times it happened which I can totally understand, one of the houseguest's family members worked in the twin towers apparently!

Another example is BB Australia, they got to vote in the general election because voting is compulsory, iirc they found out the results too but I don't remember! Also in 2012 a housemate left the day after his brother shockingly died, he was told on something like day 59 and decided to leave on day 60.

Tom, in the first C5 BB, was informed that one of his grandparents had died. I think. Memory's not what it was.

He was allowed to attend the funeral and then return.

Also, didn't someone's sister die? Or it was a rumour that persisted for several weeks, with everyone confused as to why the HM was still carrying on with the show.

I might have made all this up. It's hot.

Scott a couple of years ago, he left to go to the funeral I believe?

That rings a bell. Possibly. It's hot.

Scott, yes, but it was mis-reported badly. He has an actual sister but it wasn't her.

The person who died was a close female family friend - an 'extra sister' if you like.

That also rings a bell. Possibly. It's hot.