Celebrity Big Brother fans criticise 'dreadful' line-up

Fans of Celebrity Big Brother expressed disappointment with the new series lineup, admitting they had to resort to Google to learn about most of the housemates.

The ITV show returned to screens on Monday night, introducing 12 unsuspecting stars into the iconic house.

Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh lead the famous faces into the TV compound alongside presenter Fern Britton, TV personality David Potts, Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary Goldsmith, actor Bradley Riches and reality TV star Lauren Simon.

Broadcaster Zeze Millz, chef Levi Roots, Marisha Wallace, Corrie star Colson Smith, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Strictly Come Dancing pro Nikita Kuzmin also entered the house.

However, viewers criticised the lineup and branding it “dreadful”, with one commenting on X, formerly Twitter: “Clearly they ran out of budget after booking Sharon and Louis.”

“Am I missing something? Kate Middleton's uncle in the Big Brother house?! How did he become a celebrity?” another questioned.

Additionally, one viewer remarked: “Louis Walsh explaining who all the Z-listers are to Sharon.”

The comments comes as Osbourne, with the help of Walsh, was tasked with putting three housemates who made the “worst first impression” in danger of eviction during the season premiere.

The former X Factor judges, who appeared on the ITV show alongside Simon Cowell for many years, reunited on TV as they became the first stars to enter the house and were tasked with a “secret mission”.

The pair were given a “secret lair” to judge the celebrities as they entered the house, and later, Osbourne was tasked with choosing three to place in the “danger zone” at risk from the first eviction.

The TalkTV star chose ITV2 Ibiza Weekender star Potts, British TV presenter Millz, and Goldsmith – the uncle of the Princess of Wales.

The 71-year-old said she thought Potts was appearing on the revived ITV reality show to “show off”.

“I think he’s trying too hard to be outrageous, trying really hard to be fun but outrageous, look at me, look at me, look at me,” she told Walsh.

While she said she picked Goldsmith because he seemed “very nervous” and didn’t get a sense of who Millz is yet.

When asked why they had chosen the three stars, Walsh said: “We didn’t like them.”

The next episode will see Osbourne choose one of the three housemates to automatically face the public vote this week.

Celebrity Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.