Coronavirus: German Big Brother cast told about pandemic live on TV

Germany's Big Brother contestants have been told about the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world.

It's been more than a month since the cast first entered the house - when they walked in, the first cases of coronavirus outside of Wuhan were first being reported.

Germany now has more than 6,000 cases and 13 deaths.

Some housemates could be seen crying as they were shown a video that caught them up on the spread of coronavirus.

They then got to ask questions of the show's resident doctor, who was sat behind a glass screen, and watched video messages from relatives.

One contestant, who's a carer, burst into tears and reportedly said she was worried about her mum, who has a lung condition.

Relatives tried to keep it cheery though, joking that the contestants were probably in the safest place in Germany - and asking whether they could bring some toilet roll back with them.

The decision to tell the housemates came after criticism on social media that the 14 men and women locked inside the house in Cologne had no idea about what was going on outside.

Four new residents who joined the show on 9 March were told not to talk about coronavirus.

Usually housemates would only be informed about the outside world due to the death of a close relative or friend, according to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

But after "consultation with relatives" broadcaster SAT.1 updated its rules.

• EASY STEPS: How to keep safe

• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?

• CONTAINMENT: What it means to self-isolate

• HEALTH MYTHS: The fake advice you should ignore

• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak

• VIDEO: The 20-second hand wash

'Maybe it's been sound-proofed?'

The German cast weren't the only Big Brother housemates with no idea about the rate coronavirus is progressing around the world.

On Canadian Big Brother the contestants were wondering why they couldn't hear a live audience outside during a recent eviction - with one suggesting the house might've been sound-proofed.

In reality, audience members have been stopped from attending live shows since 12 March.

"The health and safety of our staff, crew, houseguests, and audience members are of the utmost importance," production company Global TV said in a statement.

"We will continue to produce the show and monitor the situation closely."

The housemates have since been updated "on the domestic and international status of COVID-19", and been told that all their family members are doing OK.

The Canadian show's resident doctor also assessed the contestants and "determined that no houseguests have exhibited any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19".

Since being told, every housemate has chosen to remain on the show.

Elsewhere Big Brother Australia's contestants were also told about the situation in their country as well as worldwide.

But in Brazil the 20th season of Big Brother has been running since 21 January - and is scheduled to keep going until late April.

The housemates on that iteration of the show have reportedly not been told about coronavirus - although Radio 1 Newsbeat is trying to find out whether that will change.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested negative for coronavirus, but members of the president's team have tested positive.

Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.