EastEnders star Max Bowden, X Factor icon Louis Walsh, and some RuPaul’s Drag Race finalists are among the stars rumoured for the 2024 reboot of Celebrity Big Brother.
After seven years off-air, ITV confirmed in November that the celebrity spin-off will be returning on its flagship channel ITV1.
The relaunch follows the successful revival of the original show, Big Brother, which gained its biggest viewing figures in more than a decade, with millions tuning in.
While details are being kept under wraps, speculation has been mounting over who exactly could be entering the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Over the years, the celebrity version has brought in A-listers from far and wide, including Rylan Clark, Spencer Pratt, Kerry Katona, Shilpa Shetty, Les Dennis, and even Michael Barrymore.
Now, let’s take a look at the rumoured line-up for Celebrity Big Brother 2024…
Louis Walsh
Louis is reportedly just the kind of person the ITV series are looking for. You could say he’s got The X Factor.
The 71-year-old was once a key ingredient to our Saturday nights as a judge on the once-popular singing contest, and could become a TV staple once more.
‘Louis is just the kind of figure they want in the house — someone with serious life experience who not only has something to say, but isn’t afraid to say it,’ a TV insider told The Sun.
‘These characters have delivered some of the most outstanding moments of Celebrity Big Brother in the past and they’ll want to produce those again. That means they may need to splash some cash to secure the people they have their eye on — but it’s a worthwhile investment.’
Celebrity Big Brother winner, and former X Factor hopeful Rylan reacted to the rumours on This Morning and said: ‘As a friend of Louis Walsh, I’d be like: “Don’t do it!” but as a viewer, I think: “You’d be great in there!”
‘It’s like that split decision of what can I say to him? But I think he would be a great housemate!’
Max Bowden
Last month, it was confirmed Max, who plays Ben Mitchell, would be leaving EastEnders after four years.
Now he won’t be hanging around Albert Square, it leaves a nice gap in the 28-year-old’s diary to perhaps turn his hand to reality TV.
The sixth person to play Ben (yep, we’ve had six actors playing the same character) has got fans in his corner.
‘Let the battle for a spot on Celebrity Big Brother begin!” wrote X, formerly Twitter user Bratty Barb. Alongside the words were four photos of EastEnders who have recently left, or will be leaving – Max, Shona McGarty, Lorraine Stanley, and Danny Walters.
‘Max would be great,’ added user Lil Miss Shortie.
TV blogger Elliot Gonzalez posted: ‘Max Bowden for Celebrity Big Brother then?’
Bimini Bon Boulash
Bimini Bon Boulash is reportedly one of four RuPaul’s Drag Race stars being considered for Big Brother. The 30-year-old was a fan favourite in the second series and finished as runner-up behind Lawrence Chaney.
If they’re selected then we do hope one task involves Bimini, real name Thomas George Graeme Hibbitts, bringing back her Katie Price impression which she pulled out for the Snatch Game in 2020.
Baga Chipz
As we noted – Bimini isn’t the only RuPaul’s Drag Race star being considered, claims The Sun.
The publication reports that three more are being considered including OG star Baga Chipz, real name Leo Loren.
No stranger to TV, Baga, 30, has also appeared on Celebrity Masterchef, Celebrity Karaoke Club, and Ackley Bridge.
Blu Hydrangea
Could Blu Hydrangea become a double winner? They already took the top spot on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World in 2022, but the Big Brother crown (metaphorical this time) could be on their vision board.
The 27-year-old Belfast queen, real name Joshua Cargill, is currently competing on the Irish version of Strictly Come Dancing – Dancing With The Stars Ireland – so they wouldn’t have much time to rest before packing their suitcase.
Tayce
Finally, we have Tayce who also appeared on series two in 2020, and made it to the final alongside Bimini and Lawrence.
They certainly have ‘the cheek, the nerve, the gall, the audacity and the gumption’ to go all the way this time.
Chloe Brockett
Despite only being 23, she’s already been on our TVs for five years. Recruited as a teenager for The Only Way Is Essex, viewers have seen her go toe-to-toe with everyone from Olivia Attwood to Amber Turner, and her feisty personality could be ideal for a few Big Brother barneys.
‘Chloe Brockett is in talks to appear on the show – nothing is signed yet but she’s really excited and can’t stop telling people,’ a source told The Sun.
‘ITV already know Chloe is great TV.’
Shirley Ballas
We’re more accustomed to seeing Shirley Ballas sitting behind a desk on Strictly Come Dancing, but she could be putting on dance lessons in the Big Brother house soon.
‘The only thing holding Shirley back is the BBC’s position on her taking the job as she wants to keep everyone happy,’ a source told The Sun.
‘ITV think Shirley would be a sensational signing and they’re keen to get her on board. She is confident, outspoken and would make brilliant television.’
The 63-year-old was recently revealed as the Rat on Masked Singer, but will she be unveiled on launch night?
Katie Price
Katie Price has teased a return to Celebrity Big Brother, after winning the series back in 2015.
The OnlyFans star, 45, emerged victorious after joining the house as a latecomer on day 10, beating runners-up Katie Hopkins and Calum Best.
The former glamour model sent tongues wagging when, shortly after ITV confirmed the Celebrity Big Brother reboot, she posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
Katie reposted the official announcement on her Stories and added several eye emojis.
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt finished in second place in Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, losing out to Rylan Clark.
But it appears, like Katie, they’re keen for more, a decade after they entered the house.
Adding fuel to the fire, Spencer, 40, reshared a fan’s post on X, which read: ‘Omg I wonder if Speidi will get asked for CBB 2024?!’
Phillip Schofield
Phillip Schofield stepped down from his TV projects this year after admitting to lying about an affair with a This Morning runner but ITV reportedly wants him back for Celeb Big Brother.
A source told The Sun: ‘Celebrity Big Brother is coming back and ITV want massive names to kick it off.
‘CBB is the perfect place for stars who are riding off the wave of a scandal, or something big happening in their lives.
‘Phillip Schofield is someone they’re going to approach.’
Joey Essex
Joey Essex could be swapping Dubai, where he now lives, for the Celebrity Big Brother house if producers get their way.
They are reportedly hoping to cast the reality star, 33, after previous attempts when the show was on Channel 5 fell threw.
A source told The Sun: ‘Joey is hugely popular with the top brass at ITV and they think he would be TV gold on Celeb Big Brother.
‘He’s hilarious, very likeable, and likely to become one of the favourites to win.’
Linda Robson
Linda Robson might be the next Loose Women star to step into the Celebrity Big Brother house after Coleen Nolan and Denise Welch.
Take it from the 65-year-old actress herself, who told the Daily Star she ‘would be up for’ an appearance on the reality show.
She said: ‘I would be up for it. I like getting away from the house. I don’t like being stuck in so anything to get me out of the house, any holidays.
‘As I’m getting older, I’m 65 now, I don’t want to say no to anything and try different things now.’
Jennifer Arcuri
ITV is reportedly looking for at ‘least one or maybe two big names to set the series alight’ and is said to believe Jennifer Arcuri, 38, could be the answer.
The US businesswoman, 38, claimed she had an ‘intimate’ four-year affair with Boris Johnson while he was Mayor of London.
Arcuri claimed she was in a relationship with the former prime minister between 2012 to 2016, while he was married to now ex-wife and lawyer Marina Wheeler, with whom he shares two sons and two daughters.
A source told The Sun: ‘[Producers will approach] people like Jennifer Arcuri, who had an alleged fling with Boris.
‘They have a lot of cash to splash, just under £2million.’
Sarah Ferguson
Following in Mike Tindall’s I’m A Celebrity footsteps, Sarah Ferguson could become the next Royal Family member to endure a reality TV stint.
It’s said ITV bosses are willing to splash out £500,000 on the Duchess of York, 64, especially following her success as a co-host on This Morning.
A TV insider told The Mirror: ‘Sarah would be a brilliant signing for Celebrity Big Brother.
‘She is very smart, engaging and funny. Not to mention the millions of viewers she would pull in if she began talking to housemates about the Royal Family and Prince Andrew.
‘Sarah has never considered reality formats in the past but ITV bosses are hoping their offer might change that position.’
They added that ‘signing her would be a massive coup’ and ‘that’s why they are digging deep for the offer they plan to make her.’
Matt Evers
Dancing On Ice legend Matt Evers is rumoured to be close to signing up for Celebrity Big Brother, after shockingly quitting the skating competition after 17 years.
A source told The Sun: ‘Matt was a huge name on Dancing On Ice, and already knows a lot of the team at ITV so they know he’d make good TV.
‘He’s really fun and has loads of celeb mates – he’d be a great housemate so everyone has their fingers crossed he’ll sign up.’
Gyles Brandreth
This Morning star Gyles Brandreth has previously revealed he has been asked to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.
The presenter and author, who has been a close friend of the Royals, in particular Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, said he previously turned down the reality show but may reconsider.
‘Well, I have been asked. Yes I have been asked, but I say no to these things,’ he said on This Morning.
Metro.co.uk contacted ITV for comment, and a Big Brother spokesperson said: ‘Any names for Celebrity Big Brother are purely speculation.’
Celebrity Big Brother comes to ITV and ITVX in 2024.
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