YOU would think that trying to control a bunch of showbiz divas and reality TV rabble rousers would have Big Brother reaching for the rule book.
But this series of the celebrity reboot will be more than happy to let the sparks fly — especially when it comes to romance.
Love Island legend Chris Hughes[/caption]
The ITV hit, which returns to our screens tonight, is turning up the heat faster than the spring sunshine, with a house that looks more like the Love Island villa than ever and some gorgeous young stars ready to make a splash — even, perhaps, in the famous hot tub.
It’s no surprise, really, with the world of reality television recently finding its sex factor.
Netflix’s Temptation Island is leading the way, even shocking today’s unflappable audience with raunchy hook-ups in the shower and a bonk in a tent.
Pool of bubbles
A second series of Rylan Clark’s entirely nude Paramount+ series Dating Naked is on the way, as is Channel 4’s much-hyped Virgin Island, where a string of innocents pop their cherries with the help of “sexological bodyworkers”.
Now The Sun can reveal Big Brother is eager to reclaim its crown as reality TV’s original love cauldron, with Towie stunner Ella Rae Wise and Love Island legend Chris Hughes hotly tipped to lead the charge.
A TV source said: “Viewers are feeling frisky and commissioners have responded accordingly — there’s a huge trend in sexy, naughty reality television right now.
“Big Brother has always done drama and bust-ups very well, but the sight of George Galloway in a catsuit won’t cut it any more.
“But creating an authentic romance or, let’s face it, convincing showmance doesn’t just happen.
“There’s a certain alchemy to it, creating the right environment as well as installing the perfect cast.”
Having had an exclusive nosy around the house — which will open its doors at 9pm to stars including Hollywood wildman Micky Rourke and outspoken US singer Jojo Siwa — it’s clear that producers are going all out to create the mood music.
ITV has installed a new nook in the garden, which comes complete with a double-depth sofa and black-out windows just perfect for a couple to get cosy — and it’s already been christened the “sex den” by crew.
Then there’s the fact the bedroom only has double beds.
I’ve had a look around both spaces and can confirm any of the celebrities feeling frisky might just feel comfortable succumbing to their desires.
But don’t take my word for it.
Chatting to The Sun in the brand new Diary Room, Big Brother himself reveals he is happy to see some more bad behaviour.
In his first ever interview, the man holding the reins of the reality TV favourite — in typically no-nonsense fashion — tells me: “Heavy petting is allowed.
Big Brother always encourages heavy petting, except in a public swimming bath. But in the hot tub? That is fine.”
With the likes of Love Island, Married At First Sight and Celebs Go Dating taking over our screens in recent years, it’s easy to forget that Big Brother paved the way for reality romance — not least thanks to that famous hot tub.
A pool of bubbles has featured in almost every series across the show’s three homes on Channel 4, Channel 5 and, for the past two years, ITV.
But it really had its moment in 2005, when housemates Makosi Musambasi and Anthony Hutton romped in the tub — so successfully that Makosi later rushed to the diary room to ask Big Brother for a pregnancy test.
Even housemates who are more socially aware find the lure of heavy petting in the tub too much to resist.
Jordan Sangha, who won in 2023, had a steamy kiss with Henry Southan, confirming the hot tub has stood the test of time.
ITV has installed a new nook in the garden and it’s already been christened the ‘sex den’ by crew[/caption]
The famous hot tub in the BB garden[/caption]
The brand new diary room[/caption]
The bedroom on the show only has double beds[/caption]
So which of this year’s famous faces can be relied on to come good on Big Brother’s hoped-for romance?
Stunning Ella Rae Wise joined The Only Way Is Essex in 2019 when she was dating showbiz lothario Pete Wicks and, in a break from the programme, went on to appear in MTV’s Ex On The Beach in 2022 before returning to the ITV2 favourite.
With a wealth of reality TV experience, she is primed to create hot tub gold.
Then there’s ex-Love Islander Chris Hughes whose endless romps with villa girlfriend Olivia Attwood became legendary when she confessed he “left her waddling”.
The Big Brother crew reckon he and Ella are a perfect match.
There’s just one sticking point — Ella’s combustible on/off relationship with Towie regular Dan Edgar.
A pal has told how the model would stay loyal to him despite a string of recent arguments.
But a source close to the Towie scene said the 24-year-old was all too aware she had likely been booked as leading lady for Celebrity Big Brother’s spring fling.
The insider said: “Ella knows that CBB is an enormous opportunity for her to break through and become more than just a Towie cast member — it could bring her meatier work and certainly boost her all-important online following, for starters.
“She’s not stupid and knows that a ‘will they, won’t they’ flirtation with Chris would make her the talk of the series. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has found love in the Big Brother house despite having a partner on the outside.
‘A string of bikinis’
“Stephanie Davis fell for Jeremy McConnell in 2016 while her boyfriend Sam Reece watched on from his armchair at home.
“Either way, Ella will more than deliver when it comes to sexing up the hot tub in a string of bikinis.
“For Chris this is also a real opportunity. His presenting of horse racing on ITV has given him solid, steady work and he remains a big part of the reality TV scene. But a juicy storyline and lots of valuable airtime wouldn’t exactly be unwelcome.”
Another show source told The Sun: “Ella has worked hard on her relationship with Dan, having overcome several bumps in the road.
“But producers are predicting she and Chris will hit it off, so they may have other ideas about pairing them in tasks and airing any intimate chats they may have.”
So what does the TV boss-man think of this potential love match?
Although the line-up was revealed by The Sun last week, Big Brother is staying tight-lipped and tells me he “cannot confirm or deny who is coming to stay”.
But he’s happy to muse on his favourite kind of housemate. After admitting he is “quaking in his boots” ahead of his first-ever interview, he adds: “Big Brother likes a diva and is never starstruck. Big Brother treats everyone the same.
“Big Brother does not like celebrities that don’t talk or don’t divulge interesting titbits.”
Name-checking former Celeb BB stars Nicola McLean and Tiffany Pollard — who will be a panellist on spin-off show Late & Live this series — Big Brother added: “Tiffany is a superstar and Big Brother has been desperate for her to return. She is a firecracker.”
Let’s hope for the main man’s sake we see plenty of explosions when the latest group of celebs enter the famous house.
- Celebrity Big Brother begins tonight at 9pm across ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX.
FROM sizzling love triangles to impromptu lap-dancing, Celebrity Big Brother has seen some very racy moments over the years.
Here, we remember five notorious scenes that gave viewers a very rude awakening.
SNOG OFF
After flirty banter, reality duo Megan McKenna and Scotty T gave the people what they wanted in 2016 by locking lips for a sloppy snog.
Some cheeky bum-squeezing followed before a massive falling-out in the real world – with Scott branding Megan an “absolute f***ing nightmare”.
SAVING RYAN’S PRIVATES
Blue singer Lee was in a love triangle with model Jasmine Waltz and reality star Casey Batchelor in 2014.
Jasmine would go to the bathroom with Lee where, according to her: “We turned on the taps so people wouldn’t hear us. We did everything we wanted to do.”
TURN IT DOWN
Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Davis went into the house in a relationship in 2016 and left with a brand-new one after starting a romance with model Jeremy McConnell.
After fighting, they passionately made up – loudly – forcing housemates to flee the bedroom to escape the rude sounds.
Stephanie Davis and Jeremy McConnell kissing[/caption]
SUD’S LAW
After showering together behind closed doors in the 2016 series, Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson and Towie’s Lewis Bloor emerged fully naked – leaving us to guess the rest.
Lewis later insisted “nothing happened” but admitted: “I was horny.”
Marnie Simpson and Towie’s Lewis Bloor emerged fully naked[/caption]
Lewis later insisted ‘nothing happened’ but admitted: ‘I was horny’[/caption]
So who knows if they really kept it clean?
LAPPING IT UP
John Grimes – one half of singing twins Jedward – looked like the cat that got the cream in 2017 when Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry treated him to a very saucy lap dance.
Chloe’s gyrating and twerking in his face was apparently her apology for wiping her bare bum on him a day earlier.
Judging by his reaction, all was forgiven.
Chloe Ferry treated half of singing twins Jedward to a very saucy lap dance[/caption]
