Celebrity Big Brother is back on ITV, after a six-year hiatus, with a new host, a new format, and a new batch of celebrities ready to entertain, shock, and intrigue us. The show, which follows the lives of famous (and infamous) personalities as they live together in a specially designed house, has always been a source of drama, controversy, and ratings. But who are the stars that have agreed to take part in this social experiment, and what can we expect from them? Here’s a rundown of the 12 housemates that have entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, and what they are known for.
Gary Goldsmith: The Royal Rebel
Gary Goldsmith is the younger brother of Carole Middleton, the mother of Catherine, Princess of Wales. The 58-year-old businessman and self-proclaimed “black sheep” of the family has a reputation for being a party animal and a troublemaker. He has been involved in several scandals, such as being caught on camera offering cocaine to undercover reporters, being arrested for assaulting his wife, and being snubbed from the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He has also been outspoken about his views on the monarchy, Brexit, and Covid-19, often clashing with his sister and niece. He said he decided to join the show because he wanted to “have some fun” and “show the real me”.
Sharon Osbourne: The Queen of Rock
Sharon Osbourne is a TV personality, music manager, and author, best known for being the wife of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and the mother of Kelly, Jack, and Aimee Osbourne. She rose to fame as the star of the reality show The Osbournes, which followed the chaotic and hilarious lives of her family. She has also been a judge on several talent shows, such as The X Factor, America’s Got Talent, and The Masked Singer. She is known for being outspoken, opinionated, and feisty, and has had several feuds with other celebrities, such as Piers Morgan, Dannii Minogue, and Lady Gaga. She said she joined the show to reunite with her friend and fellow judge Louis Walsh, and to “have a laugh”.
Louis Walsh: The King of Pop
Louis Walsh is a music manager, producer, and TV personality, best known for being a judge on The X Factor for more than a decade. The Irishman has been behind some of the most successful pop acts in history, such as Boyzone, Westlife, and Girls Aloud. He has also been a mentor to JLS, One Direction, and Little Mix, among others. He is known for being friendly, funny, and supportive, but also for being brutally honest and sometimes controversial. He has had several spats with his fellow judges, especially Simon Cowell, and has been accused of being sexist, ageist, and homophobic. He said he joined the show to have some fun and to “stir things up”.
Fern Britton: The TV Treasure
Fern Britton is a TV presenter, author, and journalist, best known for being one of the former hosts of ITV’s daytime show, This Morning. She presented the show for six years alongside Philip Schofield, before being replaced by Holly Willoughby in 2009. She has also hosted other shows, such as Ready Steady Cook, Mr & Mrs, and Fern Britton Meets. She is also a successful novelist, having written several best-selling books. She is known for being warm, witty, and down-to-earth, and for being open about her personal life, such as her weight loss surgery, her divorce from Phil Vickery, and her battle with depression. She said she joined the show because she wanted to “have some fun” and “meet new people”.
Bradley Riches: The Rising Star
Bradley Riches is a young actor, best known for his role in the Netflix series Heartstopper, a coming-of-age LGBTQ+ drama based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman. The 24-year-old plays Charlie, a shy and sweet gay teenager who falls in love with Nick, a popular and friendly rugby player. The show has been praised for its realistic and positive portrayal of young love, sexuality, and identity, and has gained a loyal fan base. Bradley is also close friends with Jordan and Henry, who were contestants on last year’s series of Big Brother. He is autistic, and said he joined the show to “inspire people” and to show that being different is “very cool”.
Colson Smith: The Soap Star
Colson Smith is an actor, best known for his role in Coronation Street as Craig Tinker, a young policeman who suffers from OCD. He joined the soap in 2011, when he was 12 years old, and has been involved in several dramatic and emotional storylines, such as being groomed by a teacher, being shot by a gangster, and being diagnosed with a mental disorder. He has also undergone a remarkable physical transformation, having lost a lot of weight during the lockdown. He is a long-time fan of Big Brother, and said he joined the show because it was a “dream come true”.
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu: The Love Island Winner
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu is a TV personality and model, best known for winning the 2022 series of Love Island, the popular dating reality show. The 23-year-old beauty, who has Turkish and Italian roots, coupled up with Davide Sanclimenti, a 25-year-old footballer from Italy, and they beat the other couples to win the £50,000 prize. However, their romance was short-lived, as they split up a few months later, amid rumours of cheating and jealousy. Ekin-Su has the most social media followers among the housemates, with 3.5 million on Instagram. She also recently appeared on the US version of The Traitors, a spy-themed reality show. She said she joined the show because she wanted to “have some fun” and “find love again”.
David Potts: The Reality TV Veteran
David Potts is a reality TV star, best known for being one of the cast members of Ibiza Weekender, a show that follows the antics of a group of holiday reps in the party island. The 28-year-old, who goes by the nickname El Jefe (The Boss), has been on the show since 2016, and has become a fan favourite for his hilarious one-liners, outrageous outfits, and wild behaviour. He has also appeared on other shows, such as Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity Karaoke Club, and Celebrity Coach Trip. He is openly gay, and said he joined the show because he wanted to “have a laugh” and “make some friends”.
Zeze Millz: The Online Sensation
Zeze Millz is an online personality, best known for her YouTube channel and podcast, where she interviews celebrities, influencers, and controversial figures. The 27-year-old, who is of Nigerian and Jamaican descent, has gained a reputation for being fearless, outspoken, and provocative, and for asking the questions that others are afraid to ask. She has interviewed the likes of Stormzy, Maya Jama, Wiley, and Tion Wayne, and has tackled topics such as racism, sexism, sexuality, and mental health. She has also been involved in some beefs and dramas, such as being banned from Instagram, being sued by a rapper, and being accused of bullying. She said she joined the show because she wanted to “challenge herself” and “show the real me”.
Nikita Kuzmin: The Strictly Dancer
Nikita Kuzmin is a professional dancer, best known for being one of the new additions to the Strictly Come Dancing line-up in 2023. The 24-year-old, who is from Germany, has been dancing since he was four years old, and has competed in several national and international championships. He has also appeared on other dance shows, such as Let’s Dance in Germany and Dancing with the Stars in Ireland. He is known for being charismatic, energetic, and passionate, and for having a cheeky personality. He said he joined the show because he wanted to “have some fun” and “show a different side of me”.
Aggie Mackenzie: The Cleaning Guru
Aggie Mackenzie is a TV presenter, journalist, and author, best known for being one of the hosts of How Clean Is Your House?, a show that exposes and cleans the dirtiest homes in Britain. The 66-year-old, who is from Scotland, has also presented other shows, such as Storage Hoarders, Dishes, and Cash in the Attic. She is also a qualified yoga teacher, a keen cook, and a mother of two. She is known for being friendly, helpful, and practical, and for having a good sense of humour. She said she joined the show because she wanted to “try something new” and “meet new people”.
Olly Alexander: The Eurovision Hopeful
Olly Alexander is a singer, songwriter, and actor, best known for being the lead vocalist of the synth-pop band Years & Years, and for starring in the critically acclaimed drama series It’s a Sin, which explores the lives of a group of young gay men during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. The 31-year-old, who is openly gay and an LGBTQ+ activist, has also been chosen to represent
