After what has felt like YEARS of anticipation, Celebrity Big Brother is finally returning to our television screens.
Lovers of the 'OG' reality experiment were devastated when it was suddenly pulled off air back in 2018, following just under two decades as a firm on-screen fan-favourite.
Originally broadcast on Channel 4 in the year 2000, the widely-adored show was bought by Channel 5 in 2011, but, sadly, its success wasn't to last and the show was cancelled, reportedly due to low ratings from viewers.
So, you can imagine fans' surprise when last year, ITV announced they'd be rebooting Big Brother, in both the celebrity and non-celebrity formats.
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In November, the 'normal' version of the show aired, and viewers were over the moon with the chaos-causing, name-hurling - and often lip-locking - lineup of contestants.
It contained all the drama, confrontation, romance, nit-picking and rib-tickling challenges that the long-standing reality series - previously fronted by legendary TV presenter Davina McCall - was renowned for in its heyday.
And, I don't know about you, but I'm DYING to know if the incoming star-studded version - landing on Monday night - will be just as juicy.
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Unfortunately, however, it doesn't look as though many fans of the original show are holding out much hope for the celebrity version.
In fact, thousands of ITV viewers have preempted that the forthcoming series will be a big fat flop, with a handful blaming the 'A-list' lineup.
"The most boring Celebrity Big Brother lineup I’ve ever seen," one described the listing on Twitter. "Channel 5 were perfect at casting. Where is the excitement and the people fans of CBB actually want to see?"
Another simply hit out: "Celebrity Big Brother lineup is so s**t…"
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"The Celebrity Big Brother lineup looks like it should be for a Celebrity Get Me Outta Here series. Shockingly awful! Where is the drama? Where is the excitement?" a third went on.
Others claimed they'd 'never heard' of half the contestants.
"I've heard of three of them.... mis-selling the word celebrity," while another added: "I am getting old. I only know five of these housemates."
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Another went on: "Me over here just googling 90% of these ‘celebrities'," while another said: "Well what an absolute dreadful lineup that is, call it the Z-list."
The Sun yesterday revealed the dozen celebrities who have been reportedly finalised.
The housemates this year include the likes of Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin, Ibiza Weekender icon David Potts, Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches, TV presenter Zeze Millz, American actress Marisha Wallace and Coronation Street star Colson Smith.
Ex-This Morning host Fern Britton is also said to be joining the show, along with X Factor judge Louis Walsh, Real Housewives star Lauren Simon, Kate Middleton's uncle Gary Goldsmith, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and last, but far from least, much-loved chef Levi Roots.
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On top of that, Sharon Osbourne is rumoured to be taking part as an extra-special guest.
Some people felt hype for the rumoured lineup.
One commented on the potential reunion of former X Factor co-stars Osbourne and Walsh: "I CAN'T COPE IF THESE TWO ARE HOUSEMATES I WILL CRY."
Another wrote: "MARISHA WALLACE!!!! IS GOING IN!!! Get behind me #CBB."
A third wrote: "Ekin-Su, Zeze Millz and David Potts are 100% going to bring the drama!!!"
With all that said however, an ITV spokesman has told Tyla: "Any names are at this point pure speculation and viewers will have to tune in to see who will be entering the Celebrity Big Brother house."
By the sounds of it, however, some viewers are holding onto hope that the list could be upgraded... awkward!
Topics: Celebrity, Celebrity Big Brother, ITV, TV And Film, Big Brother
Rhiannon Ingle