MediaTel

Channel 4 has unveiled its spring and summer 2002 programming schedule heralding the return of Big Brother and the launch of a documentary about the gay sex lives of animals.

Announcing the launch, Channel 4's director of programmes, Tim Gardam, said: "Proliferation of channels has reduced diversity in television and created a fear of taking risks. This schedule bucks that trend. It backs uncertainty and risk, new talent and creative freedom."

Big Brother 3 lies at the heart of the new schedule and after almost 150,000 people requested application forms and more than 10,000 sent in the required video tape, the latest series of the reality show looks set to be bigger than ever.

The channel is also hoping for success with The Truth About Gay Animals, which is a "light-hearted" factual programme exploring the thesis that homosexuality occurs naturally among animals. It is part of a season of programmes about homosexuality and features, among others, gay monkeys and sheep.

Other highlights include The Edwardian Country House, which like the successful 1900 House and 1940s House sees a group of volunteers recreate a past era. About 8,000 people applied to appear on the series, which will see them spend three months in a time warp where intricate social rules dictate their behaviour.

Among the more controversial programmes is Born Freak, which sees disabled actor Mat Fraser join a freak show as a means of exploring the history of disabled performers. Inside New Labour with Mo Mowlam, in which the former Northern Ireland secretary becomes the first senior Labour figure to talk frankly about her time in Government, also looks set to cause a stir. Molam will talk about her period as a revered public figure and her downfall after internal Labour briefings against her.

The summer also sees the return of former 11 O'Clock Show star Daisy Donavan in a new topical entertainment show, Does Doug Know, as well Daisy Daisy, where she looks at the worlds of beauty pageants, motivation gurus and death metal bands. Graham Norton, the face of Channel 4, is back with a new entertainment show that will run five nights a week and US shows Will and Grace, Friends, West Wing and South Park also return.

Channel 4: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.co.uk

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