CELEBRITY Big Brother is back and bosses have splashed the cash to attract some massive household names.
There’s something for everyone this year as the popular reality show makes its comeback for the first time in six years.
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Twelve celebrities have signed up for the first CBB in six yearsCredit: X/@BBUK
Strictly Come Dancing and Love Island are both represented, while entertainment stalwarts from This Morning and X Factor have put pen to paper – as have a Netflix superstar and stage legend.
Insiders told The Sun how ITV had gone to great lengths to keep the names under lock and key – even bringing back Big Brother’s famous live launch show to surprise fans with the famous faces.
But our insiders told us the full line up and here we can reveal the 12 famous names who are going to be beamed into our living rooms six days a week starting on Monday…
Nikita Kuzmin
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Strictly’s Nikita could be the pin-up of the rebooted seriesCredit: BBC
Strictly Come Dancing heartthrob Nikita is swapping the ballroom for the Big Brother house.
The Ukrainian dancer’s signing is surprising given his close ties to rival broadcaster the BBC.
However, it’s perfect timing for him to try new things as it’s very much the Strictly off-season, which also paves the way for his return to the programme later in the year.
The 26-year-old has proven to be a popular addition to the dancing franchise since arriving three years ago.
He partnered with West End star Layton Williams last year with the pairing mesmerising viewers on their way to the final.
Celebrity Big Brother lines up BBC star Nikita Kuzmin for new series
David Potts
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Reality TV star David has lost three stone ahead of his entranceCredit: Alpha Press
Ibiza Weekender star David, 30, is no stranger to the reality TV circuit and has the bold personality to provide entertainment and drama in the house.
He’ll be in the best possible shape for his time in the house having lost an impressive three stone.
David shared his weight loss secrets recently, telling fans: “For everyone wanting to know how I’ve done it. I’m no dietitian or PT, but I try and go to the gym 6 days a week and eat 1700 calories! Then one day I do zero exercise and eat whatever the F I want! It seems to be working for me.”
Last year the former holiday rep starred in The Big Celebrity Detox alongside Kerry Katona and Love Island’s Toby Aromolaran.
His other telly credits include Celebs Go Dating, Celebs on the Farm, Celebrity Karaoke Club and Celebrity Ghost Trip.
Bradley Riches
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Netflix star Bradley Riches made his name in global smash HeartstopperCredit: 2024 Dave Benett
Heartstopper actor Bradley is a big coup for the show given the success of the Netflix coming of age drama.
He’s the perfect addition to pull in a Gen Z audience that was moved by Bradley’s character James McEwan as he navigated life and love.
The 24-year-old, who is both openly gay and autistic, hopes signing up for the show will help with representation.
A source told The Sun: “Brad really wants to fly the flag for autistic, queer people on a huge mainstream show like Celebrity Big Brother.
“He was diagnosed with autism when he was nine and is passionate about being an advocate for his community.
“He’s keen to show the world that being neurodiverse isn’t something that holds you back, it’s a superpower.”
Zeze Millz
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Zeze Millz is a big name in the world of social mediaCredit: Steve Bell
Social media star and cultural commentator Zeze, 34, is sure to speak her mind in the Big Brother house.
She’s famed for her no holds barred interview style often gets the best out of her subjects.
Her Zeze Millz Show bio even reads: “If we can get them in a room with Zeze… It’s gloves off.”
Past guests on the show include Akon, N-Dubz and Fireboy DML.
Zeze’s had plenty of crossover with mainstream TV too, having appeared on Good Morning Britain, E4‘s Celebrity Cooking School and The Victoria Derbyshire Show on the BBC.
Marisha Wallace
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Stage legend Marisha knows how to put on a first class performanceCredit: Alamy
It wouldn’t be CBB without a larger than life American personality on the show.
Actress Marisha, 38, fits the bill perfectly and has star power in abundance.
She earned her stripes in Broadway shows Aladdin and Something Rotten before becoming alternate lead Effie White in Dreamgirls, following in the footsteps of Glee star Amber Riley.
Album releases and appearances in Hairspray and Waitress on the West End followed.
And in 2022 Marisha received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress for her work as Ado Annie in Oklahoma!.
Colson Smith
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Colson Smith is set to enter the Celebrity Big Brother houseCredit: Rex
Colson Smith is an actor most recognised for his role in Coronation Street.
The 25-year-old plays policeman Craig Tinker in the ITV soap.
He had lengthy discussions with ITV bosses about joining this year’s CBB lineup, and now they have their man.
A source told The Sun exclusively: “Big Brother producers have been in talks with Colson for months and it looks like a done deal.
“They’re thrilled he’s keen to enter the nation’s most famous house because he’s a big name already loved by millions of viewers and they were hellbent on securing someone from Corrie as it’s great cross-promotion for ITV.
“Colson’s character Craig is a huge favourite with soap fans and he’s just as likeable and down to earth in real life so don’t be surprised if he ends up winning the whole thing. He’s got all the ingredients of a Celeb BB champion.”
Fern Britton
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This Morning legend Fern Britton has signed up for Celebrity Big BrotherCredit: Rex Features
The Sun revealed Fern would be entering Celebrity Big Brother, and she has vowed to lift the lid on her rift with Phillip Schofield.
She presented This Morning for six years alongside Phil, 61, before she was replaced by Holly Willoughby in 2009.
Insiders told The Sun that Fern, 66, was keen to shift the public’s perception about her.
They said: “She wants to show the public a different side to her — unscripted and unapologetic.
“She has a lot of stories to tell and she won’t hold back when it comes to her relationships with people like Phil.
“They don’t speak anymore so there are no bridges to burn as far as she is concerned.”
Louis Walsh
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Louis Walsh became a household name from The X FactorCredit: Getty
Louis, who was a panellist on ITV’s The X Factor for more than a decade, landed himself a bumper six-figure deal to enter the CBB house.
A close associate of Irishman Louis, who has also managed a series of top music acts over the years, told us: “He is one of the most intriguing signings for Celebrity Big Brother because he has almost half a century of experience in showbusiness to recall when he enters the house.
“Viewers will be most interested in his memories of his time on The X Factor and working with huge music acts including Westlife and Boyzone.
“But there may be a few celebrities outside the house who are feeling nervous about what he might say, because Louis is notoriously outspoken.”
Lauren Simon
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Lauren Simon shot to fame on The Real Housewives of CheshireCredit: Getty
Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren was revealed as one of the show signings last month.
An original member of the ITVBe show, Lauren was hospitalised for three weeks last year after a boob job went horrifically wrong and her nipple nearly died.
The 46-year-old, who’s been on the RHOC since it launched in 2015, opened up about her terrible ordeal in an interview with The Sun.
It came after she’d already been through an upsetting ordeal as she had a bitter split with her property tycoon ex husband Paul Simon in 2018, all of which was viewed by the public at home.
Gary Goldsmith
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Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary Goldsmith negotiated a hefty contract with ITVCredit: Getty
Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary negotiated a hefty contract with the ITV show’s bosses to take part.
The controversial businessman — brother of Kate’s mum Carole — auditioned for I’m A Celebrity last year but was rejected at the final stage over fears it could embarrass Kate and William.
But a source told us: “The CBB team love him because of his link to Kate and the fact that he’s confident and loud and won’t hold back.
“He’s made it clear he will talk about everything and anything, and he’s pretty outspoken when it comes to Harry and Meghan.
“Gary also holds a deep affection for Kate and Wills and will be able to give a fascinating insight into what it’s really like being related to the future King and Queen.
“He could be TV gold and ITV knows it. The deal he signed is for good money.”
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
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Ekin-Su has signed up after splitting from Davide SanclimentiCredit: Splash
Love Island favourite Ekin-Su signed up just weeks after splitting from Davide Sanclimenti.
The Turkish actress, 29, who found fame on the ITV2 dating show in 2022, recently appeared on the US version of The Traitors.
She is now set for her next reality TV stint and bosses will be hoping for villa and romance gossip.
With a strong 3.5m followers on Instagram, Ekin-Su won over the hearts of the nation with her feisty personality and now hopes to do the same on the celeb reboot.
It comes after her love story with Davide, 29, came to an end in January, after the pair decided to separate after 18 months together.
Levi Roots
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Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots has been snapped up tooCredit: levirootsmusic/instagram
Multimillionaire Dragons’ Den star Levi has been snapped up too.
He has been described as a great addition to the Big Brother house, a “fun character” and an inspiration to a young generation of viewers.
In a recent interview with The Sun, Levis said: “I couldn’t even say my own first name when I left Jamaica, so to come to the UK and now run a multimillion pound business is beyond belief.”
Levi was spotted by a BBC producer for Dragons’ Den in 2007.
He was on the BBC show looking for a £50,000 investment for a 40 percent stake in his business selling Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Sauce.
It led him to stock his jerk barbecue sauce in Sainsbury’s.
The 65-year-old has since become a regular on cooking TV shows, including BBC’s Ready Steady Cook.
Sharon Osbourne
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Sharon Osbourne will temporarily be staying in the houseCredit: Getty
X Factor legend Sharon, 71, is a surprise bonus for the series.
Bosses had wanted the wife of iconic rocker Ozzy Osbourne to be a fully-fledged housemate but couldn’t afford her huge wage demands.
Instead, she’ll enter the house as a special guest for a week where she’ll reunite with her old pal Louis Walsh.
A source said: “Sharon is a guest housemate and won’t be going in on
launch night.
“Instead she will come in once the show has started and will be there
for a few days.
“The fee she wanted was eye-watering and in the end they struck a deal
which meant she would go in for a shorter run.
“It’s worked out well for everyone as she will inject some drama when
she finally walks through the doors.”
