Subject: Big Brother Africa launch cancelled due to 'devastating' blaze

The launch of the new series of Africa's Big Brother has been delayed by a "devastating" blaze at its purpose-built studios in Johannesburg.

The show, due to start on Sunday, has been put off while producers "urgently" seek alternative facilities.

No-one was hurt in the fire and its cause will remain unknown until an investigation gets underway.

Contestants from 14 countries were due to take part in the ninth series of the reality show.

It was due to run for 91 days before crowning a winner to succeed last year's winner, Dilish Matthews from Namibia.

This year's victor stands to win $300,000 (£182,000), the same as the prize pot in 2013.

Programme makers Endemol South Africa and M-Net said efforts to find another complex in which to film the show would be difficult at such short notice due to its "highly technical infrastructure" which is not "immediately available".

"Every effort will be made to find a solution as quickly as possible to ensure that Africa's biggest reality show will continue," they added.

Channel 24 said that production had already hit complications as contestants from Ghana faced visa entry problems and were being replaced with Ghanaians already resident in South Africa.

The participation of Rwanda - for the first time - and Sierra Leone also had to be scrapped, it reported.

The new edition of the show was due to be shown across Africa via satellite television.

Big Brother has been a popular draw since it started in 2003, and has produced winners from Tanzania, Angola, Nigeria, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The first winner, Cherise Makubale, came from Zambia.

In 2010, the show hit the headlines around the world after a male contestant was removed from the compound for punching a female housemate.

South African producers had initially allowed Hannington Kuteesa to remain on the show, prompting protests.