Celebrity Big Brother returns to our screens with hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best welcoming 13 celebrities into the house.
The ITV1 reality series aired on Monday night following the success of the 2023 series of Big Brother, which returned five years after Channel 5 dropped it due to poor ratings in 2018.
Former X Factor panellists Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh were the first to enter, watching from behind a screen as other celebrities took part as part of a “secret mission”.
Below, we introduce you to the reality stars, TV presenters, actors, and more who will be participating in the show.
– Sharon Osbourne
Reality star and former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne was the first celebrity to enter the house.
The 71-year-old is best known for appearing on the reality series Osbourne with her husband, former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, and children Kelly and Jack.
– Louis Walsh
Irish music manager and former X Factor judge Louis Walsh was the second celebrity to enter the house.
He said his dream housemate would be his former colleague and friend Osborne.
The 71-year-old, who has managed the likes of Boyzone, Westlife and Jedward, said on the show: “I want to have fun and meet some nice people.''
– Nikita Kuzmin
Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin says appearing on the show is forcing her to step out of her “comfort zone”.
The 26-year-old dancer from Ukraine, who was runner-up on the BBC One dance show last year with celebrity partner Leighton Williams, said she is “OCD clean” and likes to have everything in its “right place”.
– Ekins Kurkroglu
Reality star Ekin-Sue Krkroglu, who won Love Island with Davide Sancrimenti in 2022, said she wants to “grow” on the show.
The 29-year-old, who recently appeared on the American version of The Traitors, added: “I want to regain my confidence. These experiences bring out my confidence.”
“I had that on Love Island. I was very confident. But over the last 18 months that has gone away. I've been going through a tough time.”
– Colson Smith
Actor Colson Smith is best known for playing Craig Tinker in Coronation Street.
The 25-year-old said his biggest fear on CBB was “being the housemate that no one likes”.
This is not the first time he has appeared on a reality show, in 2022 the Yorkshireman competed on ITV's reality series The Games.
– Gary Goldsmith
Gary Goldsmith, Duchess Kate's uncle, said she wanted to show the “real me” and not “the villain that is often portrayed in the media”.
The 58-year-old businessman and podcaster from London said he was “nervous” about the unknown but “not easily scared”.
– Marisha Wallace
American actress Marisha Wallace is best known for her work in musical theater.
The 38-year-old said she was “excited to represent the theater world.”
The West End star added: “I want to tell my story and inspire people who come from small towns and have nothing but have big dreams. Hopefully I can inspire them. I hope I can give them an opportunity to dream bigger.”
– David Potts
Reality star David Potts became known as a hotel worker representative featured on ITV2's Ibiza Weekender.
The 30-year-old, who lives in Bolton, said his dream line-up for the show would be “Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Nicki Minaj”.
– Levi Roots
Business owner and Dragon's Den star Levi Roots said he joined the Celebrity Big Brother house because he wanted to “interact with young people”.
The musician and celebrity chef, 65, said: “As a black Caribbean person, there are going to be different people in the house, people who dress differently, we're all going to be different, and if I… If that's the case,” he said. “I'm not the typical archetype of what people think I should be. I don't like people who challenge that because I think people have a right to be different.”
– Fern Britton
Television presenter Fern Britton is best known as the former co-host of This Morning and Ready Steady Cook.
The 66-year-old, who is also a well-known author, said it would be nice to have a friend or two at home.
– Zeze Mills
British TV presenter Zeze Mills said she could be an “argumentative” housemate as she finds it “difficult to end arguments”.
The 34-year-old, who is based in London, said the show was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to be part of an “original social experiment”.
– Lauren Simon
Lauren Simon rose to fame on the reality series The Real Housewives Of Cheshire.
The 48-year-old said CBB had “always been on my bucket list”.
Reflecting on what was most “scaring” about the experience, she said: “Sleeping in a room where strangers are snoring.”
– Bradley Riches
Actor Bradley Riches is best known for his role as James McEwan in the LGBT+ drama Heartstoppers.
The 22-year-old, who lives in Surrey and is openly autistic, said he wanted to be a “positive representative of the neurodiverse and queer community”.