Celebrity Big Brother 2025 lineup confirmed and shocked fans anticipate ‘best series ever’

Celebrity Big Brother is back! (Picture: ITV)

The full list of stars entering the Celebrity Big Brother house this series has been revealed… and we’re in for a wild ride!

Tonight, hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best returned to front the showbiz edition of ITV’s beloved social experiment, one year after David Potts emerged victorious as the 2024 winner.

Rumours had been swirling for a while around who exactly would be entering the famous compound, but we now have our answer.

Following a glamorous launch show, we were introduced to the cast of 2025, which includes talk show hosting legend Trisha Goddard, American actor Mickey Rourke, and internet sensation JoJo Siwa.

The full cast list leaked just days ago, and it seems the speculation was accurate, as we’ve also been treated to two soap actors, a Love Island star, and a RuPaul’s Drag Race UK legend.

Here’s the lineup in all its glory, which viewers are already predicting as one of the strongest we’ve had in years…

Trisha Goddard Trisha Goddard is throwing herself in the deep end with Celebrity Big Brother (Picture: ITV)

Trisha Goddard, 67, is best known for her self-titled chat show on ITV—before its move to Channel 5—as well as the US version.

She now hosts on Talk and occasionally appears on Good Morning Britain.

Trisha is throwing herself into CBB after being told her stage four breast cancer is incurable, which she went public with last February.

Speaking ahead of the series launch, she revealed that she’s ‘timed’ her cancer treatment around the programme, explaining in an interview that her oncologist is working closely with the Big Brother team.

‘I’ve got a special therapist who’s happy to work with the medic on the show. My palliative care team—and when I say that word, everybody screams and runs away, but it’s symptom treatment—is working with the team here too.

‘And then when it comes to my treatment, I had one infusion on Monday, so I’ve got to jump on a plane and go straight back to have the next one as soon as the show is over.’

Trisha also enters the house with a ‘bag full of meds’ and a planned treatment schedule.

Mickey Rourke Mickey Rourke is this year’s highest-paid housemate (Picture: ITV)

Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke, 72, whose career in showbiz spans over four decades, is believed to have negotiated himself a seven-figure fee for his appearance.

Some of the actor’s best-known roles include starring in films such as The Wrestler, Iron Man 2, and The Expendables.

While we’re all very familiar with his work, though, Mickey literally has no idea what he’s getting himself into when it comes to the UK version of CBB.

He said in his pre-launch interview: ‘I have no expectations. I’ve never seen it. I’m just going to go in, do my thing, and we’ll see.’

Hinting at what might rub him up the wrong way, he shared: ‘I do not like people who are disrespectful. Respect is earned. I will earn it. If they don’t, they will know about it.’

JoJo Siwa Internet star JoJo Siwa is sure to provide the energy (Picture: ITV)

Energetic American media personality JoJo Siwa boasts over 45million TikTok followers at just 21 years old.

Proudly a member of the LGBTQ+ community, her content and merchandise have long been popular among youngsters.

Ahead of entering the house, she confessed that her girlfriend is the person she’ll miss the most while cut off from civilisation as she knows it, having become famous for documenting her life online.

However, the reason why she’s most likely to be nominated might surprise you.

‘You know what I’ll get nominated for? Being too much of a rule follower. Because if someone breaks the rules, I’ll get annoyed, and I know people break the rules.

‘Guaranteed I will not break one rule the whole time.’

Famous last words, JoJo…

Patsy Palmer Will soap queen Patsy Palmer bring the drama? (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Smiley Charity Film Awards)

Soap legend Patsy Palmer is best known for playing Bianca Jackson in EastEnders.

DJ Patsy, 52, who has also appeared on Dancing On Ice and Strictly, has been a regular on our screens since 1993, when Bianca was first introduced to Albert Square.

In 2014, she relocated to Malibu with her family, and while she has no plans to return to the UK full-time, we’re thrilled she occasionally still makes the trip for work purposes.

Ahead of her CBB stint, she had a vision for what her strengths will be as a housemate: ‘One thing I really pride myself on 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.’

Jack P Shepherd Jack P Shepherd has played David Platt on Corrie for more than two decades (Picture: ITV)

Fellow soap star Jack P. Shepherd, and now Celebrity Big Brother housemate, is best known to the nation as David Platt.

The 37-year-old is a firm favourite on the cobbles, having portrayed Gail’s troublesome son since 2000—but how will he get on inside the house?

Well, Jack has a certain type of housemate who is most likely to frustrate him.

‘I think if someone’s just trying to be loud to try and, “Point the camera at me, please, I need airtime!” Maybe that might annoy me.

‘Also, if you’re having a conversation and someone just comes and randomly joins in.’

Metro's TV Editor Adam Miller's verdict on the Celebrity Big Brother lineup

Celebrity Big Brother lineups don’t come much better than this. Obviously, once the housemates are in there, it’s all about the chemistry, but with this lineup, there’s a lot to be excited about already.

The addition of Mickey Rourke is a complete game-changer—I can’t think of another Celebrity Big Brother housemate from any year who has had such an infamously fascinating brush with Hollywood and is still one of the biggest names in the world.

There are some clear heroes, which, for me, is the most essential ingredient in any Big Brother and one that was arguably missing last year. Trisha Goddard is one of the most courageous and brilliant women in television; hence, her historic career spans almost 40 years on screen. Patsy Palmer is a bolshy firecracker and absolute Hunsnet icon who is bound to be unmissable television, and then Chesney Hawkes is one of the most celebrated one-hit wonders, largely because he is so sincerely one of the nicest blokes in pop.

But for anyone who isn’t familiar with Jojo Siwa, for better or worse, the early days are going to be all about the LGBTQ+ pop star, now mainly famous for scissoring on stage in rhinestone leotards with performances that have gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

Danny Beard is tipped to arrive as a late entry, and given the show’s history of ITV only crowning LGBTQ+ winners, I could easily see the Drag Race UK champion continuing the community’s winning streak. They’re smart, kind, and one of the funniest queens in the UK.

Once everyone on this leaked lineup steps out of blacked-out cars and into the house on Monday night, we’re in for a very special Celebrity Big Brother.

Chris Hughes Former Love Islander Chris Hughes is no stranger to reality telly (Picture: ITV)

Reality personality-wise, former Love Islander Chris Hughes, 32, will walk through the CBB doors, having now forged a career for himself in punditry, covering horse racing and cricket.

He’ll be kept company by influencer and Towie’s Ella Rae Wise, 24, who is currently dating co-star Dan Edgar.

On what he’s most looking forward to, Chris said: ‘I’m looking forward to the fact that it’s very much an unknown, to meeting new people, getting to spend time with people who are from very different environments to myself and the whole social experiment behind it—the whole Big Brother experience, really.’

Ella Rae Wise Towie bombshell Ella Rae Wise is the series’ youngest housemate (Picture: ITV)

Ella Rae Wise joined Towie in 2019. The influencer has also appeared on The Challenge UK and Celebrity Ex on the Beach.

It’s believed she and Dancing On Ice contestant Dan are in a good place as she enters CBB, having ‘worked hard on their relationship’ after overcoming ‘several bumps in the road’ since getting together.

Consequently, The Sun claims Ella has ‘promised’ Dan she won’t get her flirt on with Love Island hunk Chris while inside the abode.

On how she’ll behave on the show, Ella said: ‘I think, to be honest, it takes a lot for me to crack.

‘I’m quite laid back and relaxed—I’m quite easy going. I don’t feel that a lot annoys me.’

Donna Preston The comedian recently starred in the Netflix series The Sandman (Picture: ITV)

Adding to the lineup, we have comedian Donna Preston, 38, whose notable appearances include Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and as an actress in Netflix’s The Sandman as Despair, one member of ‘The Endless’.

She’s also appeared in Apocalypse Wow, Hey Tracey, and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Donna reckons ‘rude’ people will ‘grate’ on her, but she has a strong tactic for avoiding conflict.

‘If I find that something is getting to me, I’ll move myself away from the situation,’ she said.

‘Everyone’s got their habits, I understand that. I’ll just spend my time in the bath.’

Angellica Bell TV and radio presenter Angellica Bell is also entering the house (Picture: ITV)

Martin Lewis Money Show co-host Angellica Bell, 49, is also part of the starry cast.

She’s no stranger to brushing shoulders with major celebs, having recently returned to hosting The One Show, where she interviewed Spice Girls singer Geri Horner and Doctor Who stars Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu.

Speaking before her CBB entrance, the former children’s TV star said she’s most excited about leaving her daily life behind and being ‘silly’.

‘I like to be kept on my toes and I know BB likes to throw in curveballs, but I’m also looking forward to a bit of dressing up, role playing, and generally having a bit of fun—just being silly.

‘I’m all about enjoying the moment and having a good time.’

Celebrity Big Brother 2025 winner odds

Chris Hughes – 7/2
Jack P. Shepherd – 4/1
Ella Rae Wise – 7/1
Danny Beard – 7/1
Patsy Palmer – 8/1
Donna Preston – 8/1
JoJo Siwa – 10/1
Trisha Goddard – 14/1
Chesney Hawkes – 16/1
Angellica Bell – 20/1
Mickey Rourke – 33/1
Daley Thompson – 33/1
Michael Fabricant – 40/1

Odds provided by Paddy Power

Daley Thompson Daley Thompson might unleash his competitive side once again (Picture: ITV)

Olympian Daley Thompson, who is a decathlon gold medalist, is set to take on a new type of competition on the reality TV show.

In his illustrious career, the 66-year-old broke the world record in his event four times and was unbeaten for almost a decade.

Predicting he’ll be an ‘easy’ housemate to get along with, the athlete reckons people will want to keep him around for his ‘washing up skills’.

‘I am looking forward to the challenge of living with total strangers and getting to know them and hearing all their stories.’

Michael Fabricant How will viewers react to another Conservative politician competing on a reality TV show? (Picture: ITV)

While CBB steered clear of politicians last time, this year, former Conservative MP Michael Fabricant is due to enter the house.

The 74-year-old was an MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire from 1992 to 2024.

Admitting he’s going to feel lost without being able to watch the news every day, Micahel declared ahead of the series launch: ‘I’d like to know if we are at war with some country or not!’

Chesney Hawkes Chesney Hawkes released his best-known song when he was just 19 years old (Picture: ITV)

Completing the lot is the one and only (listen, it had to be done) chart-topping singer, Chesney Hawkes.

Of course, the 53-year-old is best known for his hit The One and Only, which he released in 1991 and which spent five weeks at number one.

Famously one of the nicest guys in the industry, the musician doesn’t predict being any bother to his fellow housemates.

‘I think so,’ he replied when asked whether he’ll be easy to live with. ‘Unless I discover I’m an absolute nightmare. Who knows?!

‘I guess I’m looking forward to seeing if I last more than 20 minutes— hopefully I do.’

Danny Beard We already suspect Danny Beard is going to be a huge hit among Big Brother fans (Picture: ITV)

Liverpudlian drag superstar Danny Beard was confirmed to enter as a latecomer to spice things up.

Having appeared on spin-off show Late & Live as a panel member on several occasions, the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner is no stranger to BB Land.

They’re also famously opinionated, having made it clear in their pre-show interview who might ruffle their feathers.

‘Everyone that I know and hang with would think I’m easy. But if you’re from a very conservative background, maybe you’re going to find living with a hobby Scouse drag queen a little annoying.’

Do we sense fireworks between Danny and Michael already?

Celebrity Big Brother 2025 lineup in full Trisha Goddard Mickey Rourke JoJo Siwa Patsy Palmer Jack P. Shepherd Donna Preston Ella Rae Wise Chris Hughes Angellica Bell Daley Thompson Michael Fabricant Chesney Hawkes Danny Beard

Confirmation of this year’s cast comes after names such as Tommy Fury, Maura Higgins, Paul Chuckle, Chloe Madeley, Ella Morgan, Macy Gray, and Kate Cassidy were also reported.

Millions tuned in on Monday night when the reality show returned, hoping to witness Diary Room tantrums galore, late-night bust-ups, and the formation of unlikely friendships over the coming weeks—oh, and plenty of meme opportunities.

The lineup has already been hailed as one of the ‘best’ by viewers for the second instalment of ITV’s reboot, which has aired two civilian series won by Jordan Sangha and Ali Bromley, respectively.

Last year, Louis Walsh, Fern Britton, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, Marisha Wallace, and even Sharon Osbourne were among the housemates for a three-week-long series.

Ibiza Weekender alum David, 31, proved most popular with the public, though, winning him the most votes in the final ahead of Nikita Kuzmin and Colson Smith.

But who are you putting your money on this time?

Celebrity Big Brother airs each night at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

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