The first rays of sunshine in the UK and the end of Love Island: All Stars 2025 can only mean one thing (at least here at Closer HQ) – Celebrity Big Brother is right around the corner, and the last and perhaps more diva-ish of our celeb sign-ups are no doubt making their final demands (remember last year when Sharon Osbourne managed to get her own suite and only had to film half the series?) as we type, ahead of this year's launch in 'spring'. That's now, by the way, ITV 👀.
But who are this year's celebrity housemates? Let's be honest, Big Brother producers are going to have to pull out all the stops to outdo the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Levi Roots, Lauren Simon and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, aren't they? Because that cast was casting.
If the rumours are anything to go by, then this year's producers are looking to fill the Big Brother house with far more reality stars than last year. We already know that Married At First Sight star Ella Morgan and controversial Love Island star Chris Hughes are top of the rumoured list, but over the last few hours we've learned that a TOWIE queen is in the running for a bed in this year's CBB house, too.
According to reports, none other than TOWIE girly girl Ella Rae Wise is set to star in this year's Celebrity Big Brother, following in the footsteps of her TOWIE gal pal Elma Pazar who also recently jumped ship for a stint on another major ITV reality series earlier this year.
Yep, it's claimed Ella has been working closely with TOWIE producers to film exit scenes, telling her co-stars that she's leaving Essex temporarily for new 'project'. In our minds, Elma will be re-introduced to this year's series of TOWIE around the same time Ella ducks out.
The source told The Sun, 'Ella has lots of promise and producers think she'll be really good on CBB as one of the youngest housemates.
'She'll bring a lot of fresh viewers with her and could spill on her famous love life.
'ITV like to cross reference between their shows as it helps with promotion.
'Ella's got her head screwed on and is really witty and funny and isn't afraid of a bit of drama.'
Okay, but can anyone else see Ella and Chris Hughes making flirty eyes at each other across the breakfast table in the Big Brother house? We hope not, because as things stand Ella is 100 percent with her TOWIE co-star Dan Edgar despite a few (well, nothing but) bumps in the road.
It's worth noting that none of these names have been confirmed by ITV yet. The series is set to begin in 'spring 2025' and will see the return of hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best.
If you're still taking requests for this year's line-up, ITV – Davina McCall. Please. Imagine.
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Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about TOWIE, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅.