Dave, Shabby and Sunshine face Big Brother chop

Dave, Shabby and Sunshine are the first Big Brother housemates to be nominated for the chop this year.

But in a twist, producers will give those in danger of the boot the chance to save themselves by taking part in a task.

Whoever wins the challenge could nominate someone else to face the public vote instead of themselves.

Housemates will be told about the nominations - and the task - today.

Phone lines will open this evening, when the results of who will face the public vote are known.

Whoever is chosen as a replacement for one of those nominated will be up for eviction with the other two housemates on Friday.

Bitching has intensified in the house, with wannabe prime minister Sunshine, 24, becoming the target of the other housemates' snide comments in the early stages of this year's show.

Dubliner Caoimhe revealed her nicknames for the medical student - "Sunflower, Sun Cream, Sun Stroke, Moonshine and Moonbeam".

Bisexual voluntary worker Govan, 21, former child actor Shabby, 24, and DJ Caoimhe, 22, boasted about being the life and soul of the house and joked with one another: "Imagine if it was just Sunshine and Dave here."

Squatter Shabby admitted being in a "bitchy group" but said she would go "mad" if she did not have a good moan.

Govan said he knew Sunshine wanted to draw a line under their previous argument but said: "I don't want to be friends with someone like that."

Sunshine also had a rough time this morning when Tory boy Ben teased her about having an "infectious condition" on her feet.

At breakfast, Ben, 30, made a joke about her "verrucas", even though Sunshine does not have any.

Sunshine took the Tory boy into the living room to discuss the matter, saying that he was making her feel isolated and that he had mentioned the "disease" four times.

An apologetic Ben promised he would not joke about the verrucas again and said he had not intended to upset her.

In scenes shown last night, Beyonce lookalike Rachael also criticises Sunshine - saying she has never met anyone "so aware of the cameras".

Sunshine claimed she was not like the usual "extroverts who claim attention" on Big Brother, but "from my perspective she was describing herself", Rachael said.

"At least I am honest. I love attention. But I'm not going around talking to cameras to get it," Rachael added.

Sunshine complained in the Diary Room that Govan would leave the room when she entered and did not offer her a drink when he gave the others one.