Big Brother host Sonia Kruger channelling sibling rivalry

SONIA Kruger says this year's Big Brother contestants are more reflective of our society, writes Colin Vickery.

SONIA Kruger says this year's Big Brother contestants are more reflective of our society, writes Colin Vickery.

Sonia Kruger's the first to admit that last year's Big Brother was solid but not spectacular.

Channel 9's rebooted version of the once-controversial reality show averaged around one million viewers per episode.

That was a strong result for a show that had become so raunchy it was nicknamed "Big Brothel" when it was on Ten.

Who can forget the infamous 'turkey slap' incident, when two male contestants were evicted for allegedly sexually assaulting a female housemate?

The trouble was that last year's housemates were a bland bunch - already pretty much forgot. The only person to stand out was runner-up Layla Subritzky who has gone on to feature in Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

The biggest disappointment was that the producers didn't live up to their promise to feature contestants of all ages, social strata and cultural backgrounds. The housemates were predominantly Anglo and ranged in age from 19 to 32 - more of the same.

All of that is about to change. This year's show will feature two sizeable twists as well as a much more diverse bunch of contestants.

Housemates include a war hero, a nurse, a teacher and a radio announcer. The upper age is into the forties.

This year there is an extra Saturday night "games" edition of Big Brother as well - something that Ten's Big Brother used to do on a Friday night.

"There is much more diversity of occupation and age," Kruger says. "Those two things have been covered off.

"Last year, we were all very nervous about bringing the show back and perhaps there was this element of erring on the conservative side.

"This year everybody is a lot more relaxed about it. I'm really excited. I can't wait for it to start and to meet this cast.

"I walked through the airport the other day and there was a man in his sixties who started singing 'The Twist' (Big Brother promo song).

"Big Brother has its core audience that are passionate about it and there for it every week but it would be great to appeal to a slightly older demographic as well."

At 47, Kruger, is also in an "older demographic" when it comes to TV hosts - but she is thriving. She has settled into a groove with the Mornings show, which she presents with David Campbell.

Kruger looked on as critics lashed out at Channel 7 after the hasty exit of 43-year-old Melissa Doyle - to be replaced by 35-year-old Samantha Armytage.

There was speculation that Doyle was seen as old fashioned. Sky News presenter Tracey Spicer said the move to appoint a younger co-host could be "discrimination".

Kruger reckons women-of-a-certain-age have never had it so good. Maybe that is because she knows she will be going up against 71-year-old Ita Buttrose when Ten launches its new morning show later this year.

"I actually think age has become irrelevant, though when women move on in the industry their age is always referenced," Kruger says.

"It (age) is less relevant than it ever has been. Look at Ita for example. There are plenty of women (on TV) in this country who are working into the forties and fifties and onwards. That's a good thing.

"I think it's a reflection of our society. Women want to see a true reflection of themselves (on TV). That only says good things for women in TV and the length of their careers."

Easy to say when you're looking as good as Kruger. So how much pressure does she feel to stay looking young - and how tempted is she to turn to cosmetic enhancement to stay ageless?

"I don't feel a lot of pressure from that perspective because we've got great lighting people who can make you look like you haven't got any wrinkles," Kruger laughs.

"For me it is about staying in shape. In the opener of Big Brother there is a dance routine and I want be able to get through that and not collapse in a heap at the end.

"I've been back at the Sydney Dance Company doing classes, which is great because I love it."

There is one area where age has caught up with Kruger - having children. She recently admitted that she had been trying to have a child with partner Craig McPherson for a number of years both naturally and through IVF.

"It's been a struggle," Kruger told a leading women's magazine. "We did conceive naturally several times and I miscarried on a couple of occasions."

Obstetricians generally give women over 45 zero chance of conceiving naturally. Even if successful there is an increased chance of miscarriage compared to younger women.

McPherson has six adult children - five boys and one girl from a previous relationship.

Is Kruger still determined to have a child or has she given up on ever being a mother.

"I'm weighing it up (children) at this point," Kruger says. "I wouldn't say that (it is off the agenda)."

In the meantime, Kruger is preparing for Big Brother. She reckons hosting has to be a lot easier than being a contestant on the show.

"Everybody would like to think they'd be popular and wouldn't be nominated (for eviction) but who knows," she says.

"I could be the most irritating person of all time to other people in the house - probably I'd be a neat freak. I think the messiness would get to me."