Everything you need to know about Celebrity Big Brother 2017

All the latest on the Channel 5 series: who's up for eviction, who's still in and who the CBB candidates actually are...

Celebrity Big Brother is back on our screens for its nineteenth series – yes we feel old too. The return of the Channel 5 reality show means only one thing – a three-week break from our social lives. And this series, dubbed All Stars and New Blood (we’ll explain later) promises to be particularly addictive.

The new series launched on 3rd January with a revamped pop-art inspired house, a new theme and of course an exciting line-up of CBB17 housemates. One week in and here's what you need to know:

Two celebrities have already left the CBB house, with Ray J and Brandon Block both walking, but with Jedward’s late entrance, the number of housemates has stayed the same.

Ray J left the house due to a painful tooth abscess, and Brandon Block left the following day after also feeling unwell. ‘I've not been happy for a few days. I love you all, I really mean that, but I'm not myself and I can't’ he said before leaving, with James Jordan breaking down in tears as he hugged the 90s DJ goodbye.

The first live eviction will take place on Friday evening, with the first round of nominations resulting in a total of six housemates up for the public vote.

Who’s up for CBB eviction this week?

Angie Best James Cosmo Stacy Francis Austin Armacost Heidi and Spencer

Here is everything you need to know about Celebrity Big Brother 2017…

Why is Celebrity Big Brother called All Stars and New Blood?

Celebrity Big Brother 2017 is being called All Stars and New Blood for the simple reason that the contestants are a mix of former CBB contestants and those making their CBB debut. The unexpected twist on launch night, however, saw the two groups pitted against each other, with the All Star contestants named ‘producers’ and given the power to choose which of the new contestants have potential and edit out those who don’t.

Who are the Celebrity Big Brother 2017 contestants? 

ALL STARS:

John and Edward Grimes

John and Edward Grimes, known professionally as Jedward, are a pair of Irish twins who came to fame when they appeared on X Factor in 2009, coming sixth. They have released three albums with their first two going double platinum in Ireland. The X Factor duo have entered the house as All Star contestants, previously appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2011.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt

Heidi, 30, and Spencer, 33, make up Speidi – the notorious stars of the US reality series The Hills. First appearing on the eleventh series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2013, coming second to Rylan Clark-Neal, they are back this year and on a mission to ‘make Speidi famous again.’ They are the only couple in this year’s lineup and were the first of the celebrity contestants to enter the house (in matching jackets FYI).

James Jordan

James, 38, is a ballroom dancer, known for his past role as a profession dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, where he met his wife, Ola. James first appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, finishing in third place, but this year he claims he won’t be using a game plan, insisting ‘people either love me or hate me.’

Jasmine Waltz

Jasmine, 34, is an American model who first appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014. Listing David Arquette, Chris Pine, Ryan Seacrest and Jesse McCartney among her exes, Jasmine started a romance with Blue’s Lee Ryan during her last stay at the CBB house before being evicted on day 13. This year she’s hoping for a different experience.

Austin Armacost

The American model and TV personality, 28, is known for his former role on LGBT reality show The A-List: New York. First appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015, he came second to his house BFF, The Apprentice’s James Hill. Now newly single after splitting from his husband earlier this year, Austin is going for the win. ‘This time around I am more confident, stronger and have my shit together.’

Coleen Nolan

You will probably recognise Coleen, 51, from Loose Women but before she became a TV presenter and agony aunt, Coleen was a singer, forming The Nolans with her sisters and selling millions of records worldwide. After coming runner up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2012, Coleen is back.

Nicola Mclean

The 35 year old glamour model is no stranger to reality TV, appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2008, and Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. But despite saying that her last stint in the CBB house was 'the worst experience of her life', she's back for more.

Calum Best

Son of football legend George Best, 35-year-old Calum is best known for his modelling and reality TV. He first appeared on CBB back in 2015 coming third and has since gone on to star in Celebrity Love Island, Paris Hilton's British Best Friend and Come Dine With Me. 'I'm single and a red-blooded male, who knows what could happen' he said of returning to CBB - it could be a little tricky though, considering the next contestant...

NEW BLOOD:

Angie Best

Angie, 64, is Calum Best's mum. Most known for being the late George Best's wife, Angie had her own successful career too as a model and celebrity personal trainer. Explaining her excitement to spend some quality time with Calum, Angie said of her son: 'He does no wrong, and although I know he's going in, he doesn't know I'm going in!'

Bianca Gascoigne

Bianca, 30, is an English glamour model and TV personality. She has been on almost every reality show there is, winning both Love Island and the Gladiators celebrity special, presenting Big Brother's Big Mouth in 2008 and even auditioning for The X Factor in 2012. Plus, best of all she is also Calum Best's ex (poor Calum has had a shocker with the line up).

James Cosmo

James, 69, definitely wins the award for most unexpected celebrity contestant of the series. The Scottish actor's work speaks for itself, with James' credits including Troy, Braveheart and Trainspotting. He's best known, however, for playing Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, in Game Of Thrones. He's a Big Brother fan and is looking forward to the 'psychological experiments of living with people I don't know.'

Ray J [OUT]

The 35 year old American rapper has released numerous hits including One Wish and I Hit It First, but he’s best known for featuring in a leaked sex tape with his famous ex, Kim Kardashian. Ray J (who’s related to Snoop Dog BTW) explains his reasons for going on the show as wanting ‘people to really get to know who I am and not what they read or see on TV, or what I did in bed.'

Stacy Francis

Stacy, 47, is an American singer, best known for appearing on the US X Factor back in 2011 where she was eliminated in Week 4. She now runs her own YouTube channel, uploading her own online talk show, musical performances and vlogs. Describing herself as ‘feisty, intelligent and spiritual’, she found herself making headlines in 2012 after supposedly rowing with Whitney Houston just hours before her death.

Jamie O’Hara

Jamie, 30, is a footballer, having played for Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and most recently, Gillingham. The midfielder who is also the ex-husband of former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, Danielle Lloyd, is hoping that appearing on the show will help the public to see him in a different light.

Brandon Block [OUT]

Brandon, 49, is a DJ and producer, highly regarded for his work in the 80s and 90s. He is probably best known, however, for storming the Brit Awards stage in 2000 (Kanye-style) and having an awkward and aggressive encounter with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood on stage. When asked what he’s looking forward to about entering the CBB house, Brandon mentioned ‘getting away from technology for a while.’

Who won CBB 2016?

Reality TV star Stephen Bear won the eighteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother on 26 August 2016. Before entering the house he was known for appearing in the reality shows Shipwrecked and Ex on The Beach.

Who is presenting Celebrity Big Brother 2017?

This year Emma Willis will be returning for her fourth year at the helm of Celebrity Big Brother, accompanied by none other than Rylan Clark-Neal, the winner of 2013’s CBB11.

When is Celebrity Big Brother 2017 on?

You can tune into Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5, at 9pm each night – Goodbye social lives.