Celebrity Big Brother host teases line-up could include ‘major Hollywood star’
By Hannah Roberts, PA Entertainment Reporter
Celebrity Big Brother co-host Will Best has teased that this year’s line-up could include a “major Hollywood star”.
It comes amid speculation that Bafta-winning Sin City actor Mickey Rourke could be entering the house.
“We’re not part of the negotiations so I wouldn’t know about that, but from the kind of rumoured list that’s gone out it looks like there could be a major Hollywood star in there,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB).
Asked if this could be Rourke, Best said: “We don’t know for sure, but that would be amazing.”
His co-host AJ Odudu said: “It’s a social experiment. You’re watching people go through something in the Big Brother house, and honestly, it’s intense.
“It’s an intense environment even when we just have a walk around.”
Among the other stars rumoured to be part of the line-up are US chat show host Trisha Goddard, comedian Donna Preston, US pop star JoJo Siwa, Love Island star Chris Hughes and Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd.
Other names include EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, retired Olympic athlete Daley Thompson, The Only Way Is Essex star Ella Rae Wise, TV presenter Angellica Bell, former Tory politician Sir Michael Fabricant and drag queen Danny Beard.
Also reported to be appearing is singer Chesney Hawkes, who was asked about the ITV show during an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Friday.
Asked if the rumours were true, he said with a smile: “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
A spokesperson for Celebrity Big Brother said: “Any names suggested for Celebrity Big Brother are purely speculation.”
Last year, the programme dubbed “the original celebrity experiment” made its return to UK television, with the series won by reality star David Potts.
It also included an X Factor reunion between former judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.
Celebrity Big Brother will return to ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Monday April 7 at 9pm alongside Celebrity Big Brother: Late And Live from 10.30pm on ITV2 and ITVX.