Drugs mule Michaella McCollum doesn't enter first all-female Celebrity Big Brother on launch night despite speculation
This year’s series celebrates the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in the UK.
Convicted drugs mule Michaella McCollum has not entered this year's Celebrity Big Brother house on the all-female special series launch night.
The new season of the Channel 5 reality show kicked off on Tuesday night, hosted by presenter Emma Willis.
There was speculation that Peru Two drug smuggler Michaella was to enter the house after the Northern Ireland woman was seen leaving a Belfast salon after treating herself to a pampering session.
Housemates who are entering the Big Brother House are usually confined to a hotel two days before the show airs. Media reports suggested this may have been her final chance to glam up before her reality TV debut.
However so far the show's first eight contestant included:
:: Amanda Barrie
At 81 years old, the Benidorm star is the oldest celebrity to enter the house so far this year. Best known by some as Coronation Street’s Alma, following her 20-year stint on the show, she sealed her acting career back in the 1960s with roles in two of the famous Carry On films: Carry On Cabby and Carry On Cleo.
:: Ann Widdecombe
The former Conservative MP, 70, has become a familiar face on screens, appearing in a number of shows, including last year’s Sugar Free Farm. She demonstrated her artistic side when she took part in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing and is a popular novelist, penning titles such as 2014 murder mystery, The Dancing Detective.
:: Ashley James
James is best known by television fans for her role in hit Channel 4 reality show, Made In Chelsea, but she has amassed thousands of social media followers with both her work as a DJ and her regular fashion updates.
:: India Willoughby
York train station. pic.twitter.com/GgF5RnNdIg
— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) December 29, 2017
The newsreader made headlines in 2015 after undergoing a gender reassignment operation. Formerly known as Jonathan Willoughby, she has previously spoken about stepping down from her ITV job in 2010 and choosing to end a double life she had led for five years.
:: Jess Impiazzi
The MTV presenter is no stranger to reality television after rising to fame on both The Only Way Is Essex and, more recently, Ex On The Beach. She is also known by followers for running her own women’s fitness brand and her work as a glamour model.
:: Maggie Oliver
WATCH: Ex Detective Constable Maggie Oliver discusses the #Rochdale abuse investigation ahead of a new documentary:https://t.co/OTUtu3hQwM pic.twitter.com/6YbHE8fm4j
— Lorraine (@lorraine) July 3, 2017
The former detective constable was a key figure involved in the Rochdale abuse scandal. After encouraging young victims of sexual abuse to speak to police, she famously resigned from her position over the way authorities handled the case. She was recently portrayed by Lesley Sharp in the BBC dramatisation of the case, Three Girls.
:: Malika Haqq
A series regular on US reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Haqq claims some small acting roles, including Penny in Sky High (2005), Shay in Definitely Divorcing (2016) and Video Ho #3 in an episode of Entourage. She will be entering the house just days after her close friend Khloe Kardashian announced her pregnancy.
:: Rachel Johnson
The only housemate to be previously confirmed by Channel 5, the 52-year-old’s stint on the show follows her father Stanley’s recent experience in last month’s series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! A novelist and journalist, she is also sister to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.
