The sneaky tactics used by Big Brother housemates in a bid to win

After a triumphant comeback last year, the reality show that started it all, Big Brother, is back on our screens today. 

ITV's reboot of the 'ultimate social experiment' returns with a fresh group of housemates who will contend to win £100,000.  

With so much money at stake, many contestants have entered the famous house with a sneaky strategy to take home the big money prize. 

But which strategies are successful? And what do the past champions have in common?

MailOnline spoke to psychologists to find out exactly what it takes to win the show. 

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As any fan of the show will know, Big Brother bundles a collection of strangers together in a specially constructed house for a number of weeks.

While isolated from the outside world, their every move is monitored by television cameras and microphones installed around the house. 

Each week, housemates vote for two people they want to leave – and those with the most votes are put up for eviction, decided by a public vote. 

Of course, one of the most famous Big Brother housemates of all time had a strategy in a desperate attempt to win the money – and it backfired disastrously.

In series 1, 'Nasty' Nick Bateman tried to manipulate his fellow housemates and influence how they voted, breaking one of the show's biggest rules, and was ejected.

So, according to an academic, winning the show very much depends on getting on the right side of both fellow housemates and the public – while playing by the rules. 

'They need to win over their housemates to avoid nominations and potential eviction, while also appealing to the audience watching from home,' Dr Andy Morley at University of Central Lancashire's School of Psychology told MailOnline. 

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'It's interesting to note that in the first season of Big Brother, the show was widely viewed as a game, with contestants using various strategies to win – some even resorting to cheating. 

'However, public perception has shifted; today, viewers seem to prefer genuine contestants and often disapprove of those seen as manipulating the game.' 

The year after 'Nasty' Nick, Paul 'Bubble' Ferguson entered the house with the confident belief he could take home the prize money for his young daughter with his 'bubbly' everyman personality.

But he was shocked to be voted out in the fifth week – not long after admitting he was only in it for the money. 

Meanwhile, in 20th series last year Tom Bryant mostly kept a low profile – a tactic that kept him in the house until the final week. 

But he was swiftly voted out by the public following an ugly outburst at fan favourite Yinrun after a shock face-to-face nomination. 

Looking at past Big Brother winners, all had highly endearing qualities – from Brian Dowling's humour, Cameron Stout's piousness, or last year's winner Jordan Sangha's drollness – and managed to show their integrity right to the end.  

'To succeed in the game, contestants must come across as friendly and likeable to their fellow housemates, but also relatable and genuine to the public, who will ultimately vote for the person they feel a connection with,' Dr Morley added. 

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Dr Morley cited a recent study entitled 'On How to be Liked in First Encounters' which investigated two types of behaviour when strangers meet – 'communal' and 'agentic'. 

'Communal behaviours, being polite, warm, friendly, and benevolent, help build trust and form bonds,' Dr Morley told MailOnline. 

'These actions make individuals seem approachable and likeable. 

'On the other hand, agentic behaviours – such as demonstrating leadership, confidence, organisation, and sometimes even dominance – tend to inspire respect and admiration.

'For Big Brother contestants, striking a balance between these two behaviour types is crucial.' 

Dr Rachael Molitor, a chartered psychologist and lecturer based in the West Midlands, said the best strategy to win Big Brother blends 'authenticity and adaptability'.

'With authenticity, people are drawn to others that seem genuine and true to themselves,' she told MailOnline. 

'Both general public watching the show and housemates may detect when someone is putting on a false front. 

'Being adaptable to situations that Big Brother may throw at contestants and "giving things a go" for the benefit of group conformity can benefit length of stay.' 

Dr Molitor added: 'Being kind and emotionally intelligent, forming genuine alliances and using humour appropriately are more traits seen in those who have succeeded in the past.' 

Dr Howard Fine, consultant psychologist for media, said there is no single strategy to win Big Brother, but the key element is to 'adapt to the dynamic in the house'. 

'As the group of housemates changes through evictions and potential surprise additions, the housemates need to consider the role they need to play,' Dr Fine told MailOnline. 

'The housemates may enter the house with a view to be likeable, trying to forge as many connections and alliances as possible.'

Dr Fine added that that coming first in Big Brother is not 'ultimately the win', as true success can be defined back in the real world after contestants leave the house. 

Even though she was the second housemate to be evicted back in 2002, Alison Hammond is one of the most successful Big Brother housemates with a reported net worth of between £1million and £4million thanks to a long list of TV stints. 

'The ultimate winner is the housemate able to ride the publicity wave for as long as long as possible post filming, and monetise this,' Dr Fine said.