Hollywood icon Mickey Rourke and EastEnders favourite Patsy Palmer are reportedly poised to step into the Celebrity Big Brother house as the hit reality show returns for its second ITV series this Monday.
The forthcoming season promises another dose of drama, glamour, and eyebrow-raising moments, following the much-talked-about 2024 edition which saw explosive antics from The X Factor’s Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.
Rourke, 72, best known for his roles in The Wrestler, 9 ½ Weeks, and Sin City, is rumoured to be among this year’s star-studded line-up. The Oscar-nominated actor and former professional boxer has recently appeared on the US version of The Masked Singer and in Roman Polanski’s dark comedy The Palace. He also featured in the spoof film Not Another Church Movie, adding to speculation that he’s ready to dip his toes into British reality TV.
Palmer, 52, made a brief return to EastEnders last year, reprising her much-loved role as Bianca Jackson. After years away from Walford, where she transitioned into a successful DJ career, Palmer’s comeback was met with fanfare. She bid farewell to the soap again just last month, thanking the cast and crew for “a few months of love and history making.”
Joining them, reportedly, is former Conservative MP Sir Michael Fabricant, who recently lost his long-held Lichfield seat to Labour in the 2024 general election. The flamboyant ex-politician, known for his unmistakable blond mop, previously appeared on Celebrity First Dates in support of Stand Up To Cancer.
Rumours abound that the Celebrity Big Brother house will also welcome Olympic decathlon hero Daley Thompson, now 66. Thompson was once dubbed the world’s greatest athlete, having taken home gold at both the 1980 and 1984 Games.
Other names tipped for entry include The Only Way is Essex star Ella Rae Wise, CBBC and The One Show presenter Angellica Bell, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 4 champion Danny Beard. Bell, 49, is a Celebrity MasterChef winner and a familiar face in British broadcasting, while Beard brings high-octane drag energy and quick wit to the table.
Pop culture enthusiasts will recognise singer Chesney Hawkes, famed for his 1991 chart-topper The One And Only. When quizzed on BBC Breakfast on Friday about his involvement, Hawkes, 53, chuckled, “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
More Read
Elsewhere in the rumoured line-up is Coronation Street stalwart Jack P Shepherd, who has played David Platt for more than two decades, as well as US dance prodigy and YouTube sensation JoJo Siwa. Siwa, still just 21, has become a household name through shows like Dancing With the Stars and Dance Moms.
Rounding out the possible cast are Love Island’s Chris Hughes, now a sports presenter, comedian Donna Preston of The Sandman and Hey Tracey! fame, and talk show legend Trisha Goddard. Goddard, 67, who has faced public battles with breast cancer, remains a pioneering figure, having been the first Black female news anchor on Australian television before finding fame in the UK and US.
Despite the excitement, ITV remains tight-lipped. A spokesperson commented, “Any names suggested for Celebrity Big Brother are purely speculation.”
The new season marks the second outing for Celebrity Big Brother on ITV, after the broadcaster resurrected the show last year following a five-year hiatus since its Channel 5 days. The format, known for its confessional drama and live evictions, remains a firm favourite with audiences.
Celebrity Big Brother returns Monday at 9pm on ITV1 and STV. Viewers can also catch the companion show Celebrity Big Brother: Late & Live on ITV2, where last year’s winner David Potts is set to return. Let the games begin.
