ITV Celebrity Big Brother viewers ‘switch off’ as ‘bottom of the barrel’ line-up sparks fiery debate: ‘Struggling’
Celebrity Big Brother made its return on Monday, with a new host of famous faces entering the iconic house.
Hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the week’s opening show saw each celebrity introduced – and some got more positive responses from the live audience than others.
It wasn’t just the live audience making their feelings known though, with those watching from home also left divided.
The 2025 line-up, officially confirmed in the episode, consists of Chesney Hawkes, JoJo Siwa, Trisha Goddard, Chris Hughes, Patsy Palmer, Michael Fabricant, Jack P Shepherd, Ella Wise, Daley Thompson, Donna Preston, Angellica Bell, Danny Beard and Mickey Rourke.
Taking to X, one infuriated viewer penned: “Jesus wept. I had ITV for 10 mins and had to turn it off. All the f***ing sqwarking (and that’s just the two presenters) #CBB”
“Bottom of the barrel #CBB #CBBUK #CelebrityBigBrother,” a second complained.
“I’m certainly struggling with who some of them are #CBB,” another admitted.
Someone else wrote: “No shade to Ella but I can’t believe we are still resorting to hiring TOWIE cast members when it hasn’t been relevant now for the best part of a decade #CBB #CBBUK.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Sherrie Hewson breaks silence on ITV Benidorm return rumours as she makes stance clear on comebackHolly Willoughby breaks silence as ITV axes Dancing On Ice after 19 years: ‘Will miss it hugely’ITV AXES Dancing On Ice after 19 years on air as bosses confirm ‘No plans for another series’
However, others were impressed with the reveal, with one writing: “cast is great on paper and has so much potential, got a great feeling about this series #CBB #CBBUK.”
“This cast has the potential to be as good as Gemma Collins & Tiffany Pollard’s year #CBB #CBBUK,” another predicted, with one more sharing: “Love love love this line up!! #cbb.” (sic)
The new batch of VIPs will embark on the original celebrity experiment, taking up residence in the Big Brother house, which has moved to a brand-new location for the forthcoming installment.
Speaking ahead of her entrance on the show, Palmer explained: “I’m really looking forward to walking through the iconic doors and meeting a group of brand-new people.
“It’s a fascinating experience and that’s one aspect that excites me. I’m also looking forward to having a break from technology.
“We all spend so much time on our phones so having no access to that will be incredibly refreshing.”
On what she will miss the most while she’s in the house, the EastEnders star replied: “The main thing I’m going to miss the most is my family.
“We’re all incredibly close and speak all the time. It’s going to be strange not being able to have a conversation with one of them when I feel like it.”
Opening up on whether or not she thinks she will make a good housemate, the Bianca Jackson star replied: “One thing I really pride myself in is being someone who tries to find solutions instead of problems.
“It’s a much more positive approach and has worked well for me in the past.”
Speaking about what he’s most looking forward to, ITV Coronation Street star Shepherd answered: “Probably just every experience that comes with it – the Diary Room, the nominations.
“I think I’ll like the tasks because that’s the big event – when you can all come together.”