Celebrity Big Brother made its long-awaited return to screens on Monday night, with 13 unassuming stars moving into the famous house.
Hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the show kicked off its live launch with a brand new lineup and a shocking twist, following months of speculation around who would be taking part.
In a series first, Big Brother introduced its first ever house lodger, as Sharon Osbourne headed into the house for a guest stint, before being told she would choose which three stars would be at risk of facing the first public vote of the series.
Branding herself the ‘original reality star,’ Sharon appeared on the first four series of The X Factor from 2004 to 2007, the 10th series in 2013, and the 13th and 14th series from 2016 to 2017, with Louis starring alongside her.
‘I am good fun to live with, so my husband says. Chaos, I don’t cause it, it just seems to go on around me even though I do have a big spoon to mix it,’ she said in a pre-recorded video.
‘I definitely say what is on my mind, I think at my age I have earned it. I am so excited to be involved with Celebrity Big Brother because it is going to be a bumpy ride.’
Asked why she decided to take part, Sharon declared ‘why not?’ before promising to be ‘unfiltered’ during her time in the house.
Mere minutes after moving into the house, Sharon was tasked with showing off her judging skills, by choosing which three housemates will face the first public vote of the series later this week.
And Sharon was soon reunited with her X Factor partner-in-crime, as it was also revealed that Louis Walsh would be moving into the house.
It was claimed that bosses hope Louis will share secrets from his career while in the house, and he was visibly thrilled to be reunited with his beloved ‘Mrs O.’
Walsh said in a pre-recorded video: ‘I say things I shouldn’t say, my mouth has got me into trouble. I’m not easy to live with, I get up late, I go to bed late.
‘Celebrities have massive egos, I hope I get on with them because I have an ego too. I’ve never done anything like this in my life… I’m here just to have fun.’
Louis was the second celebrity to enter, but was quick to tell the hosts he knew X Factor pal Sharon Osbourne would be in the house.
Viewers found the moment hilarious, with one penning on social media platform X: ‘Louis Walsh being on the screen NOT EVEN TWO MINS and BLOWING his cover by saying, ‘Mrs O I heard she went in there’ ICONIC’
Louise greeted Sharon, saying ‘what are we doing?’, before telling Big Brother he was ‘absolutely delighted’ to be reunited with Osbourne, adding ‘we’ve got loads to catch up on’.
The voice of Big Brother told the pair: ‘I’ve brought the two of you back together because I know you are used to judging people on first impressions. Sharon, you have a decision to make, and Louis you are here to help Sharon make that decision.’
The pair learned that they would be tasked with judging their fellow housemates together, before choosing which three stars would be facing eviction.
Up next to enter was Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin, who has reportedly ired BBC bosses by signing up for a show on their biggest rivals.
The twinkle-toed star joined Strictly as one of four new professionals in 2021 and has been paired with chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly Ramsay, former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and actor Layton Williams during his time on the show.
With West End star Layton, Nikita reached the Strictly final for the first time, but missed out on the glitterball trophy to winner Ellie Simmonds.
Since it was first revealed he’d signed up for the show, reports surfaced that Strictly bosses are fearing he could quit the BBC show after his stint in the famous house.
Up next was Love Island champion and Traitors US star Ekin-Su Culculoglu, who cut a glamorous figure in a gorgeous white wrap dress.
Asked to choose her ideal housemate, the Turkish beauty quipped she was looking for someone ‘loyal,’ following her split from boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti earlier this year.
Coronation Street star Colson Smith was next to enter, admitting that he was already living his childhood dream by taking part in the show.
Insiders have already predicted that the soap star will go all the way as he is extremely ‘likeable and down to earth in real life’ just like his Corrie character.
With his warming aura, fans are already adoring the actor, just minutes into the programme.
After already ruffling feathers by signing up for the show, Gary Goldsmith, the uncle of Princess Of Wales Kate Middleton, vowed that he was going to dispel perceptions of him by signing up for the show.
He said that the Princess Of Wales will be ‘hiding behind her sofa’ if she has decided to tune in.
AJ asked which sofa and he replied: ‘It will be a nice one, in a nice house.’
West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace was quick to showcase her singing skills as she strutted into the house in a dramatic pink frilled gown.
As he and Sharon watched the housemates move in, Louis immediately ‘recognised’ the stage star.
Ibiza Weekender star David Potts donned a pair of his signature tiny shorts as he made a huge impact upon heading into the house.
A self-confessed fan of the show, David last appeared on screens as a guest on Big Brother’s sister show Late & Live as he gave his views on antics in the rebooted civilian version of the show.
Sharing snaps at the time, David said: ‘Had such a stunning time on @bbuk late & live last night spilling all the t with these absolute huns! Thanks for having me @itvxofficial.’
He recently revealed his latest weight loss achievement as he told fans he had officially shed three stone.
Dragons Den star and businessman Levi Roots put on a dapper display as he re-enacted his brand’s iconic theme tune while making his way into the house.
From his entrance it was clear that he was going to win over his fellow housemates, with even Sharon and Louis warming to him.
Social media star Zeze Millz vowed that she wouldn’t hold back from speaking her mind as she headed in, making a statement in a tiny pink mini dress and chunky platform heels.
Zeze, known for her intense interview style, has her own self-titled show which has featured big names including Akon, N-Dubz and Fireboy DML.
Over the years she has also appeared on Good Morning Britain, Celebrity Cooking School and The Victoria Derbyshire Show.
Real Housewives Of Cheshire star Lauren Simon didn’t hold back from sharing the vices she’d most miss in the house, as she headed into the house in a sexy sequinned catsuit.
Bidding farewell to her daughter in the crowd, she was quick to shout to her mother that there would be ‘no sex’ while she was in the house.
Heartstopper’s Bradley Riches was the 12th celebrity to move in, and said that after being diagnosed with autism at a young age, he hoped to shine a positive light on other neurodivergent people.
This Morning veteran Fern Britton said she was ‘very excited’ as she became the last person to enter the house.
She said: ‘I’m very excited for an adventure, for sure, so let’s have an adventure,’ while Louis called her ‘lovely’ as he and Sharon watched from their lair.
As the live show came to a close, housemates were told to gather around the sofa as it was revealed that three of them had been put in ‘immediate danger’ by someone who had been judging them from a secret lair.
The contestants at risk were revealed to be Gary, David and Zeze.
Explaining her decision to put the three in the ‘ring of fire’, Sharon said: ‘I think that David’s come to show off. I think he’s trying too hard to be outrageous.
‘Gary, I think, is very nervous and I don’t think that he is comfortable yet, and Zeze, I didn’t get a sense of who she is yet.’
Viewers will get to see the fallout to Sharon and Louis’ decision during Tuesday night’s show.
Following the launch, many fans were left disappointed with the line-up of the new series and claimed they had to Google most of their names.
Fans blasted the line-up as ‘dreadful’, with one penning on X: ‘Clearly they ran out of budget after booking Sharon and Louis’
Another said: ‘Am I missing the point here? Kate Middle’s uncle in the big brother house?! Where has he become a celebrity in all of this?’
One added: ‘Louis Walsh explaining who all the Z-listers are to Sharon’
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
