Notes hidden in tennis balls reveal fake prize twist and secret girlfriend as Big Brother house is locked down

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 22 September 2026.

Fans hurled dozens of tennis balls over the Big Brother compound walls on Monday night, triggering an immediate lockdown as producers rushed housemates inside while security teams swept the garden. The notes hidden inside the balls claimed housemate Lynx has a girlfriend on the outside, taunted contestants that there is still a mole in the house, and warned that no prize money exists. The incident was reportedly "basically trying to stir up trouble" and "a huge breach" — the most dramatic security incident in the show's current run.

The lockdown came on the same night Lynx had to be physically dragged away from Jedward after they sparked a furious hot-tub row by telling Rhianna 'this isn't Love Island.'

One ball contained a note claiming Tiffany Pollard is set to enter the house, a detail certain to rattle housemates already on edge.

Stunts like this have reportedly happened before — fans once flew planes with banners over the site — but the sheer volume of balls and the content of the notes made this a new low.