Love Island legends, soap stalwarts and Strictly Come Dancing sensations... as ... trends now

After weeks of speculation the official Celebrity Big Brother line-up has finally been confirmed, albeit without the authorisation of ITV1. 

Contestants, many of whom already linked to the show, were seen arriving at a hotel in Watford over the weekend ahead of the show's expected return on Monday evening. 

There were few surprises as an already predicted assortment of daytime chat show personalities, soap stars and reality TV veterans embraced ahead of their grand entrance on the revived Big Brother spin-off. 

However firebrand Sharon Osbourne and her former X Factor compadre Louis Walsh were nowhere in sight, despite being strongly linked with separate appearances in the Celebrity Big Brother compound. 

But who is going in? MailOnline has all the details. 

FERN BRITTON (FORMER THIS MORNING HOST)

Fern Britton was among the first to arrive over the weekend, and according to sources she has no intention on 'holding back' regarding her past feud with former This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield.

'She wants to show the public a different side to her — unscripted and unapologetic,' a source told The Sun. 

'She has a lot of stories to tell and she won't hold back when it comes to her relationships with people like Phil.

'They don't speak anymore so there are no bridges to burn as far as she is concerned.'

Fern, 66, became a household name hosting This Morning alongside Philip, 61, from 1999 to 2009, when she was replaced by Holly Willoughby.

The pair co-hosted the daytime show together from 2003 until 2009. 

It was claimed at the time she felt 'undervalued by ITV' and that she was 'living in Phil's shadow'.

It was also reported Fern was being paid £250,000 a year less than Phil and that he was earning three times her salary when they were fronting Mr and Mrs together from 2008 to 2010.

Phil is said to have banked £45,000 an hour while Fern earned just £15,000.

However, Fern denied she left ITV because of her salary and upon her departure she mentioned the whole This Morning team rather than just Phillip.

Four years after her departure, Phillip admitted he and Fern no longer spoke.

Last year Fern confirmed that while she had a 'marvellous' time working on This Morning, she hasn't stayed in touch with Phillip. 

She said: 'We were involved in the show and mates at the time, but we don't really [speak anymore].'

MailOnline has contacted both ITV reps and Fern's representatives for comment. 

NIKITA KUZMIN (STRICTLY COME DANCING PROFESSIONAL)

Strictly Come Dancing hunk Nikita Kuzmin has sparked fears he could quit the BBC show after signing up for Celebrity Big Brother.

The twinkle-toed star, 26, joined Strictly as one of four new professionals in 2021 and has been paired with chef Gordon Ramsay's daughter Tilly Ramsay, former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and actor Layton Williams during his time on the programme.

But it is feared he may quit after three years, fears that were compounded by Nikita arriving in Watford over the weekend. 

A TV insider told The Sun: 'This will send the rumour mill into overdrive, with some already suggesting he may not return to Strictly and is instead making the most of being a rising star.

'He’ll have been selected by CBB producers as an obvious heartthrob who can spice things up in the house — and maybe even spill some secrets from behind the scenes of Strictly.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Nikita for comment. The BBC declined to comment.

COLSON SMITH (CORONATION STREET ACTOR)

Coronation Street legend Colson Smith is also set to enter the Celebrity Big Brother on Monday evening. 

The actor, 25, who portrays Craig Tinker in the soap, has impressed ITV bosses after having a series of talks for months and was seen greeting fellow housemates in Watford over the weekend. 

Insiders have already predicted that the soap star will go all the way as he is extremely 'likeable and down to earth in real life' just like his Corrie character. 

A source told The Sun: 'Big Brother producers have been in talks with Colson for months and it looks like a done deal.

'They're thrilled he's keen to enter the nation's most famous house because he's a big name already loved by millions of viewers and they were hellbent of securing someone from Corrie as it's great cross-promotion for ITV.

'Colson's character Craig is a huge favourite with soap fans and he's just as likeable and down to earth in real life so don't be surprised if he ends up winning the whole thing. He's got all the ingredients of a Celeb BB champion.'

Colson joined the long-running soap in 2011 when he was just 13-years-old. 

His character has been in a number of hard-hitting storylines over the years, from being bullied as a schoolboy to becoming a policeman and battling OCD. 

In 2011, Colson dipped into reality TV as he took on ITV's The Games competing against the likes of Ryan Thomas and Wes Nelson.

Away from TV, Colson dropped ten stone after deciding to change his lifestyle and took up running during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The actor, who admits he was targeted by cruel trolls over his weight while growing up in the public eye, says lockdown inspired him to make a change.

EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU (FORMER LOVE ISLAND WINNER) 

Ekin-Su Culculoglu has also signed up for the upcoming series of Celebrity Big Brother and was seen embracing friends outside her Watford hotel over the weekend. 

The reality star, 29, won Love Island with her ex-boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti in 2022, but split from the Italian hunk earlier this year.

Actress Ekin-Su could be in the Celebrity Big Brother house with the likes of Kate Middleton's uncle Gary Goldsmith, who is said to be in negotiations with TV bosses, according to the Mirror.

The series, which will reportedly have the most 'dramatic, outrageous' opening scenes, will air in March.

Media personality Ekin-Su confirmed she had parted ways with Italian businessman Davide, 29, in January. 

Taking to her Instagram Story, the former Dancing On Ice contestant wrote: 'The last 18-months have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, just like every relationship.

'Davide and I both wanted to make this work as we cared deeply for each other. Unfortunately I have recently made the decision to end our relationship and to go our separate ways..

'Breakups are never easy. For any couple. And we hope that our privacy will be respected. I enjoyed our time together and the memories we made.

'Thank you for your continued support. It's been so lovely to have you follow our Love Island journeys together since the villa and we hope you'll continue to follow our

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