A gay Hampshire couple have today been named as among the contestants for the next series of Big Brother.

And the pair could provide the reality TV house with its first wedding.

Family members say Stephen Ireland and James Joell, a comedy duo from Eastleigh, are due to be unveiled as contestants on Big Brother 8 which starts on May 30.

Bosses at production company Endemol are rumoured to be packing the Channel Four favourite with more gay housemates than ever.

They want the next show to be remembered for camp fun and frolics rather than fights and fisticuffs.

And Stephen, 23, a look-a-like for Little Britain character Dafydd Thomas, and James, 22, could just fit the bill.

Stephen's uncle John Chilvers, revealed they were set to appear in the show after a passing a series of four or five auditions.

He added they had told Big Brother bosses they were prepared to do anything on TV - even get married.

A spokesman for Endemol said: "Housemates are only confirmed opn launch night when the cars pull up outside the house."