MarcusHousemates were dealt a big blow last night.

The Big Brother prize money was reduced from £100,000 to zero.

Big Brother told them this was punishment for the housemates staging a breakout, following a request from the omnipotent one to do something “entertaining”.

The news was greeted by whoops, cheers and laughter. Marcus, in typical irrepressible dark horse style shrugged “easy come, easy go” while Siavash bellowed “rock and roll”. Even Rodrigo laughed, although he later complained in the Diary Room that BB was being unfair as housemates had been following instructions.

Chatting in the garden, Lisa and David said they didn’t care that the prize money had been withdrawn. Hmm. A cynic may suggest this is because they didn’t think they were in with a chance of winning it.

However, not all is doom and gloom for the housemates as they’ll be given the chance to win back the prize money over the next few days.

Today, Big Brother will present Siavash with the chance to win back £10,000 for the good of the group. The fashionista will be given the opportunity to pack all his clothes and hand them over to the big boss. BB will then give him back one outfit that he'll have to wear until he's evicted.

Mmm. Fragrant.

Prize money has been reduced for rule breaking in previous years but never withdrawn completely.

The news comes in the wake of Channel 4’s announcement that it will be dropping Big Brother from its schedules after next year.

Find out when Big Brother is next on TV.