Celebrity Big Brother (British series 17)


Celebrity Big Brother 17 was the seventeenth series of the British reality television series Celebrity Big Brother, hosted by Emma Willis and narrated by Marcus Bentley. The series launched on 5 January 2016 on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom and TV3 in the Republic of Ireland, and concluded 32 days later on 5 February 2016, making it the longest celebrity series to date, along with Celebrity Big Brother 19 and Celebrity Big Brother 21. It was the tenth celebrity series and the fifteenth series of Big Brother overall to air on Channel 5. First details of the series were released on 7 December 2015 when the new eye was released, and a new "vaudeville theatre" theme also being confirmed.
This series was the first celebrity edition to launch under the new three-year contract that was announced in March 2015 which guaranteed the show remained on Channel 5 until 2018.
With sixteen celebrities, this series had the most housemates since the show began in 2001. However this is now held by Celebrity Big Brother 19 with eighteen. With three voluntary exits from Angie Bowie, David Gest and Jonathan Cheban, this series equalled the record with series 5 in 2007, which also had three housemates walk from the house. On 5 February 2016, the series was won by Scotty T, with Stephanie Davis finishing as runner-up.

Production

Sponsorship

Celebrity Big Brother 17 had no sponsorship, making it the first series of either Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother not to have a sponsor since Celebrity Big Brother 1 in 2001.

House

A Channel 5 producer teased: "The famous house has undergone a major costume change, and housemates will be transported to a striking and theatrical setting which echoes the vaudeville theatres of a bygone era. The BB garden has been transformed into a Whitechapel style foggy street scene with a Victorian pub snug which will provide a hidden corner for sharing secrets and backstage backstabbing." Pictures of the new house were revealed on 18 December.
The House remains structurally similar to the previous series, however the kitchen and living area have swapped positions. What's more, the House has an old-age feel, with a Victorian pub-style kitchen area and theatre curtains down the staircase.

Housemates

The official list of Housemates was confirmed on 5 January 2016.
CelebrityAge on entryNotabilityDay enteredDay exitedStatus
Scotty T27Reality TV star132
Stephanie Davis22Actress132
Darren Day47Actor and singer132
Tiffany Pollard33Reality TV star132
Danniella Westbrook42Actress132
John Partridge44Actor132
Gemma Collins34Reality TV star129
Jeremy McConnell25Reality TV star and model125
Christopher Maloney38Singer122
Megan McKenna23Reality TV star118
Kristina Rihanoff38Professional dancer115
Angie Bowie66Ex-wife of David Bowie115
David Gest62Producer and TV personality113
Nancy Dell'Olio54Ex-girlfriend of Sven-Göran Eriksson111
Jonathan Cheban41Reality TV star17
Winston McKenzie62Former boxer and UKIP candidate14

Angie Bowie

Angie Bowie is an American actress, model and musician. She is the ex-wife of English musician David Bowie and the mother of film director Duncan Jones. She entered the house on Day 1. On Day 7, Angie was informed off-camera that her ex-husband David Bowie had died, however she decided to remain in the house despite being given the option to leave. Angie voluntarily left the house on Day 15.

Christopher Maloney

Christopher Maloney was a contestant on the ninth series of The X Factor; where he reached the final, finishing third. He competed in the same series as Big Brother's Bit on the Side host Rylan Clark. He entered the house on Day 1. He became the fifth housemate to be evicted on Day 22.

Danniella Westbrook

Danniella Westbrook is an English actress, most notable for playing Sam Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders on and off between 1990 and 2016. In 2013, she appeared as Trudy Ryan in Hollyoaks. She also competed in the second series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2003 before taking part in Dancing on Ice in 2010. She entered the house on Day 1. She finished in fifth place on Day 32.

Darren Day

Darren Day is an English actor and television personality well known for his West End theatre starring roles, and briefly appearing in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as Danny Houston in 2010. He entered the house on Day 1 but spent the first night in "The Box" following the launch night twist. He finished in third place on Day 32.

David Gest

David Gest was an American producer, television personality, and ex-husband of Liza Minnelli. He entered the house on Day 1. On Day 13, David left the house on medical grounds. On 12 April 2016, Gest died of a stroke.

Gemma Collins

Gemma Collins is an English reality television personality, best known for starring in the ITV2 semi-reality programme The Only Way Is Essex from the second series in 2011 until the fifteenth series in 2015. She has also taken part in a number of reality shows such as Splash! and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! where she left the jungle after three days. She was the first to enter the house on Day 1. She became the seventh housemate to be evicted on Day 29.

Jeremy McConnell

Jeremy McConnell is an Irish model and reality television star, who was featured as a cast member in MTV's Beauty School Cop Outs. He is best friends with ex Big Brother housemate Marc O'Neill. He entered the house on Day 1. He was the sixth housemate to be evicted on Day 25.

John Partridge

John Partridge is an English actor who is known best for playing Christian Clarke in the BBC soap opera EastEnders regularly from 2008 to 2012, and then again in 2014, 2015 and 2016 for three guest appearances. He entered the house on Day 1 but spent the first night in "The Box" following the launch night twist. He left the house on Day 32, finishing in sixth place.

Jonathan Cheban

Jonathan Cheban is an American television personality and founder of website TheDishh.com. He is best known for his friendship with Kim Kardashian as well as appearing in her reality shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians. He entered the house on Day 1. Jonathan voluntarily left the house on Day 7.

Kristina Rihanoff

Kristina Rihanoff is a Russian ballroom dancer and choreographer, who had competed as one of the female professional partners on Strictly Come Dancing, from 2008 to 2015. She entered the house on Day 1. On Day 3, Kristina announced that she was three months pregnant. She became the third housemate to be evicted on Day 15.

Megan McKenna

Megan McKenna is an English reality television star, who was featured as a cast member on the third series of MTV's Ex on the Beach where she came known for her fling with The Magaluf Weekender star Jordan Davies. She entered the house on Day 1. On Day 10, Megan was issued a formal warning for aggressive behaviour used during an argument the previous night. On Day 18, she became the fourth housemate to be evicted. She briefly returned to the house on Day 30 as part of a task.

Nancy Dell'Olio

Nancy Dell'Olio is an Italian-English lawyer who first came to public notice as the girlfriend of Sven-Göran Eriksson, the manager of the England national football team. During their turbulent relationship, Sven was known to have had affairs with ex-celebrity housemates Faria Alam and Ulrika Jonsson. She was the final housemate to enter the house on Day 1. She became the second housemate to be evicted on Day 11.

Scotty T

Scott Timlin is an English reality television personality, who rose to fame as a cast member in the MTV reality series, Geordie Shore from series 4 onwards. He entered the house on Day 1. On Day 32, he left the house as the winner of the series making him the second star of Geordie Shore to win following Charlotte Crosby.

Stephanie Davis

Stephanie Davis is an English actress and most notable for playing Sinead O'Connor in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2010 until 2015 where she was axed from the show. Prior to this she competed in the 2010 BBC talent-search Over the Rainbow. She entered the house on Day 1. On Day 13, Stephanie was given a warning for using threatening language the previous night. On Day 24, she was given another warning for her behaviour during an argument the previous night. She finished as runner-up on Day 32.

Tiffany Pollard

Tiffany Pollard, also known by her stage name New York, is an American reality television personality and actress; best known for her appearances in VH1's reality shows such as Flavor of Love and I Love New York. She entered the house on Day 1. On Day 7 she mistakenly declared David Gest had died. On Day 10, Tiffany was issued a warning for aggressive behaviour used in an argument during the previous night. She finished in fourth place on Day 32.

Winston McKenzie

Winston McKenzie is an English perennial candidate for office and former boxer. He entered the house on Day 1. On Day 3, Winston received a warning regarding unacceptable behaviour towards the women in the house. He became the first to be evicted on Day 4 and was heavily booed. During his time in the house, he caused a lot of controversy, including his VT on entering the house with comments which could have been perceived by many to be homophobic. This caused a number of complaints to Ofcom. Furthermore, on Day 3, his quoted comment about comparing same-sex adoption to "child abuse" drew widespread outrage and heavy criticism from his fellow housemates and host Emma Willis.

Summary

Day 1Entrances
  • Gemma, John, Danniella, Christopher, Tiffany, Darren, Megan, Winston, David, Scotty T, Kristina, Jonathan, Angie, Stephanie, Jeremy, and Nancy entered the house.
Day 1Twists
  • Upon entering the house, all the furniture had been boxed up with the housemates only having crates to sit on. After the first eight housemates entered, Big Brother asked the most decisive housemate to come forward and decide which two housemates should spend the first time in "The Box" without their possessions or luxuries. John volunteered himself and Darren to enter "The Box". Furthermore, John and Darren then had to decide which three of the remaining six housemates shouldn't have their suitcases delivered. They chose Christopher, Danniella and Winston. Following the arrival of the other eight housemates, John and Darren were given one last dilemma, a luxury food delivery for themselves or the kitchen to be unlocked for the remaining housemates outside "The Box". They chose to unlock the kitchen.
  • Later that night, Danniella was given the option to send one of her fellow housemates to "The Box" in exchange for the bedroom being unlocked. She chose to send herself to "The Box".
    • Day 2Tasks
  • Housemates were asked to rank themselves from most to least annoying, where they chose Jeremy, Scotty T and Stephanie to be most annoying. Those three were then told they would be responsible for unlocking the rest of the house and for getting Danniella, Darren and John out of "The Box". They were given their own box of 1,500 keys and would have to find the one which would unlock their box which represented an area of the house. They all successfully unlocked the remaining areas of the house and "The Box".
    • Day 2Nominations
  • Following their task, Jeremy, Scotty T and Stephanie were called to the Diary Room and told that they would be solely responsible for nominations this week and had to each choose a housemate who would definitely face the first eviction. Jeremy chose Nancy, Scotty T chose Winston, whilst Stephanie chose Kristina.
    • Day 3Tasks
  • Housemates were split into two teams with each team's captain reading out a series of facts. Their team then had to decide which housemate from the opposite side matched each fact.
    • Day 3Punishments
  • Winston was given a warning about his behaviour towards the women in the house.
    • Day 4Twists
  • Kristina was told she had received the most public votes so is safe from eviction. It was then announced that the housemates would decide between Nancy and Winston whom to evict. With 13 out of 14 votes, Winston became the first housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 4Exits
  • Winston became the first housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 5Tasks
  • David was asked to produce a talent show, choosing Jonathan, Nancy and Tiffany as the judges, Angie as the host, and the remaining housemates as the acts. At the end of the show, the judges voted Stephanie as the winner.
    • Day 6Tasks
  • The housemates were asked to line up in front of a row of podiums containing presents and were told that their present could be ejected from its podium at any time over many hours. Each person that caught their flying present would receive what was inside. They were unaware that Jonathan had already secretly chosen who would get what present. During the task, Tiffany won immunity from the next eviction, Nancy won incarceration and John was told he would have to make his next nominations face-to-face.
    • Day 7Exits
  • Jonathan decided to leave the house.
    • Day 7Nominations
  • The housemates nominated for the first time. As Angie, Gemma, Jeremy, Nancy and Stephanie received the most nominations, they therefore face the second eviction.
    • Day 8Tasks
  • For the housemates' first shopping task they were split into puppets and puppeteers. Each 'Puppeteer' was responsible for a 'puppet' and they had to do a variety of challenges. Puppets were only permitted to eat food provided to them and had their beds replaced with boxes.
    • Day 9Tasks
  • The puppet task continued. However, at the end of the task it was revealed they had failed. Big Brother then gave a lifeline giving the opportunity for either the puppeteers or the puppets to have a luxury shopping budget based on who pressed a button the quickest. The puppets were faster and therefore won the luxury budget.
    • Day 10Punishments
  • Megan was issued a formal warning for her aggressive behaviour in an argument the previous night.
  • Tiffany was issued a warning for her aggressive behaviour used in an argument the previous night.
    • Day 10Tasks
  • Housemates competed in a Lip Sync Battle challenge. Danniella, Kristina, David and Scotty T were the judges of the task, choosing winners from each pair's battle. The battles were Angie vs Nancy, Christopher vs John, Darren vs Tiffany, Gemma vs Megan and Jeremy vs Stephanie.
    • Day 11Tasks
  • Housemates were split into two teams and had to try and work out which housemate the other group was describing by asking questions related to personality traits.
    • Day 11Exits
  • Nancy became the second housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 11Nominations
  • After surviving eviction; Angie, Gemma, Jeremy and Stephanie each had to give a killer nomination. They nominated Kristina, John, Tiffany and Danniella, respectively.
    • Day 12Tasks
  • Housemates were split into two teams and given a task to balance a pair of scales with gunge. They were told that on each team there was a saboteur trying to make them fail. However, they were all told to be saboteurs. They successfully sabotaged the task and won a party. As Christopher and Gemma were identified as saboteurs they were not allowed to attend.
    • Day 13Punishments
  • Stephanie was given a warning for threatening to punch Gemma the previous night.
    • Day 13Tasks
  • Tiffany was given a secret task to spread rumours about her fellow housemates. She passed and won a pampering session, which she chose to share with Angie.
    • Day 13Exits
  • David left the house on medical grounds.
    • Day 14Tasks
  • The housemates were paired up for a dance competition with Kristina acting as judge. The pairs were chosen by Kristina; Christopher and Gemma, Danniella and Darren, Jeremy and Stephanie, John and Tiffany, and Megan and Scotty T. Kristina chose Jeremy and Stephanie as the winners.
    • Day 15Exits
  • Angie voluntarily left the house.
  • Kristina became the third housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 15Nominations
  • For this round of nominations, the housemates were required to give nominations face-to-face. They were unaware that receiving one single nomination would mean they'd automatically face eviction. Danniella, Gemma, John, Jeremy, Megan, Stephanie and Tiffany all received one or more nominations and would therefore face the public vote.
    • Day 16Tasks
  • For the second shopping task the housemates had to "Just Go Along With It" to a number of random events that would happen in the house. This included exercise first thing in the morning, Christopher and Tiffany getting up close to jungle animals, and Jeremy babysitting twin dolls.
    • Day 17Tasks
  • The housemates continued with their shopping task. This included Gemma and John being chosen by the public to go to jail, Darren and Scotty T attempting to get ducks into their pen, and housemates having to impersonate each other. At the end of the task Big Brother told housemates they'd passed the task.
    • Day 18Exits
  • Megan became the fourth housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 18Twists
  • Big Brother announced that there would be no nominations this week; instead all housemates would automatically face eviction unless they earn immunity. Gemma was the first housemate to win immunity during the first live challenge in "The Forgotten Theatre".
    • Day 19Twists
  • For the second chance to win immunity, the housemates were all gathered to answer questions honestly about their fellow housemates. Stephanie became the second housemate to win immunity.
    • Day 20Twists
  • Darren was the third and final housemate to win immunity from eviction having identified the most gruesome cocktails. This meant the remaining housemates; Christopher, Danniella, Jeremy, John, Scotty T and Tiffany would face the next eviction. At the end of the tasks, immune housemates were required to ban three housemates from being invited to the masquerade ball in "The Forgotten Theatre". Gemma chose to ban Christopher, Stephanie chose Tiffany, and Darren chose Danniella respectively.
    • Day 21Tasks
  • John was given a secret task to earn compliments from each of his fellow housemates. However, unbeknownst to him, all the other housemates were on a secret mission of their own to sabotage his task by insulting him instead. The housemates passed the task and earned a coffee machine for the following day.
    • Day 22Exits
  • Christopher became the fifth housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 22Twists
  • Gillian McKeith entered the house as a guest and was given the task to detox the housemates. She selected Stephanie, Scotty T, John and Tiffany as the housemates whom she believed to be the "most toxic".
    • Day 23Twists
  • After further observations and inspections in the detox process, Gillian reassessed the group and chose Stephanie, Tiffany, Jeremy and Darren as the new "most toxic" housemates.
    • Day 23Nominations
  • Only the four "pure" housemates; Danniella, Gemma, John and Scotty T were able to give nominations. Jeremy, Stephanie and Tiffany received the most nominations and would be facing the public vote.
    • Day 24Punishments
  • Stephanie was given a warning for her behaviour during an argument the previous night.
    • Day 24Tasks
  • For the housemate's next shopping task, multiples phones were installed into the house which could ring at any time. The housemates were told that their friends and family would be on the other end of the phone and to pass the task they must identify who was on the other end by asking questions with "yes" or "no" answers. Once the housemates correctly identified who they were speaking to, that housemate was allowed to speak to their loved one. However, the housemates were only given a certain amount of talk time, which if they used more than the amount given, they'd fail the task.
    • Day 25Tasks
  • The shopping task continued. As housemates finished with some talk-time remaining, they passed the task and won a luxury shopping budget.
    • Day 25Exits
  • Jeremy became the sixth housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 26Tasks
  • The housemates were bound together with locks and chains until further notice. To escape the chains, housemates must correctly guess who received the most and fewest votes in a series of public polls. At the end of the task, Danniella and Tiffany were the only housemates who failed to unlock themselves and missed out on the reward.
    • Day 26Rewards
  • With all housemates except Stephanie discussing nominations, instead of punishments, Stephanie was given a reward. Stephanie was then asked to deliver a killer nomination. She chose Danniella, meaning she'd face the next eviction.
    • Day 27Tasks
  • For Gemma's birthday, all other housemates were set a secret mission to sabotage her birthday in order to win her the "best birthday ever".
    • Day 27Punishments
  • As Stephanie discussed nominations, Big Brother turned off all hot water and electrical appliances.
    • Day 28Nominations
  • With Stephanie and Gemma receiving the most nominations, they joined Danniella in facing eviction.
    • Day 28Tasks
  • Stephanie was asked to assign her housemates to a list of mini-task, where each would take part as quickly as possible. In order to pass the task, all seven housemates must complete their tasks in fifteen minutes or less. As Gemma refused to take part in her task, housemates failed.
    • Day 29Exits
  • Gemma became the seventh housemate to be evicted.
    • Day 32Exits
  • John finished in sixth place, Danniella finished fifth, followed by Tiffany in fourth, and Darren in third. Scotty T was announced as the winner of the series, leaving Stephanie as the runner-up.

    • Nominations table

    Ratings

    Official ratings are taken from BARB. The official ratings data for the episodes from 1 February 2016 to 5 February 2016 were not reported on the BARB website, it is unknown when or if this information will be released. The series average of 2.8 million is for the confirmed ratings
    1Ratings for these episodes do not include Channel 5 +1.