Celebrities Revealed for UK Big Brother

The Phantom

Anti-Iraq war MP George Galloway and entertainer Michael Barrymore are among the 11 contestants who have entered the Celebrity Big Brother house.

Faria Alam, who had an affair with England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, US basketball star Dennis Rodman and model Jodie Marsh are among the housemates.

In a twist, the producers unveiled an unknown contestant, Chantelle, who must convince the others she is famous.

The Channel 4 show, now in its fourth series, is due to last 23 days.

Happy Mondays dancer Bez, Mark Owen and Jack Dee have previously won the show.

Actress Rula Lenska, ex-Baywatch star Traci Bingham, 1980s pop star Pete Burns, Goldie Lookin' Chain rapper Maggot and Samuel Preston, lead singer of The Ordinary Boys, are the other contestants in the latest series.

"Just because the housemates are celebrities, doesn't mean that Big Brother isn't in charge or afraid to call the shots," said executive producer Sharon Powers.

Davina McCall will once again host the nightly show, which lasts three weeks.

Before entering the house, teetotal Galloway, who is MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, said the show would be a "chance to show a large and different audience what I'm really like".

"To get away from constant telephone and email traffic, and for the chance to make new and unexpected friends," he added.

The inclusion of Michael Barrymore is controversial.

Once one of the highest-paid stars on TV before his fall from grace, Barrymore left the UK for New Zealand following the death at his home of Stuart Lubbock who drowned in his swimming pool.

He was dropped by ITV following an inquest, which recorded an open verdict, and he found it difficult to find work.

Mr Lubbock's family are angry at suggestions Barrymore could be paid £150,000 to take part in the show.

Barrymore said he had no "expectations" about whether the show would affect his career.

"If certain people want to call it a comeback," he said, "they can call it a comeback because I haven't been away."

And Alam said she hoped the show would allow people to get to know her.

"I am a good person. I'm not craving limelight," she said.

"I've got a hell of a lot riding on this. It might make me incredibly famous but it might not. It might take me back to where I am now, which would be devastating."

From - BBC.co.uk

Reilly

Dennis Rodman people! DENNIS RODMAN

I think its because I used to live in Canada where obviously the NBA was a big sport, Rodman was just an untouchable hero in the 90's. It was unbelievable.

And ever since it's been like that for me, to see him on Big Brother 24/7 is absolutely wild. I just saw his profile and the only mention they made of his career was showing him in a Bulls shirt and saying "Dennis Rodman is an american basketball LEGEND..." and then goes on to say how hes a cross dresser and Madonna fucker...

As far as retired basketball personalities go, he's 2nd only to Michael Jordan, and in Big Brother, Barrymore seems to be the guy everyones focused on, what the hell?

You better recognise.

Give it time