Celebrity Big Brother bosses 'plotting to sign' Sarah Ferguson for 500k fee

The series is making a comeback!

Author: Alex RossPublished 27th Dec 2023

Following the success of rebooted series Big Brother earlier this year, it didn't take long for bosses to confirm the celebrity edition would be returning in 2024, with rumours rife the show will begin in March!

And with just months to go until the classic reality series is back, rumours are heating up about which famous faces will enter the CBB house, with names such as Phillip Schofield, Jennifer Arcuri, and Ella Morgan all in the rumour mill.

Although no names have been confirmed just yet, the latest rumour is that bosses are plotting to sign Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, for a huge £500,000 fee.

An ITV source told the Mirror: "Sarah would be a brilliant signing for Celebrity Big Brother. She is very smart, engaging and funny. Not to mention the millions of viewers she would pull in if she began talking to housemates about the Royal Family and Prince Andrew.

"Sarah has never considered reality formats in the past but ITV bosses are hoping their offer might change that position."

Check out all of the former CBB winners below:

Series 1: Jack Dee

Year: 2001


Comedian Jack Dee was the first ever winner after bosses decided to launch a celerity spin-off of the reality TV series. After eight days in the house, Jack was crowned the winner ahead of Claire Sweeney and Keith Chegwin.

Series 2: Mark Owen

Year: 2002


Take That singer Mark Owen won the second series in 2002, being crowned the winner by the voting public over finalists Les Dennis and Melinda Messenger.

Series 3: Bez

Year: 2005


Following a two-year break, Celebrity Big Brother returned to screens in 2005, with Happy Mondays' star Bez winning the third series.

Series 4: Chantelle Houghton

Year: 2006


CBB bosses decided to shake things up in 2006, putting non-celebrity Chantelle Houghton into the house alongside a whole host of celebs, tasking her with trying to persuade her fellow housemates that she was a real celeb.


After passing her mission and striking up a relationship with fellow housemate Sam Preston, Chantelle went on to win the fourth series!

Series 5: Shilpa Shetty

Year: 2007


In perhaps the most controversial series to date, 2007 saw the likes of Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O'Meara all enter the Celebrity Big Brother house. Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty won the series after 'bullying accusations' were made.

Series 6: Ulrika Jonsson

Year: 2009


Following another two-year break, TV host Ulrika Jonsson became the sixth winner of CBB, despite receiving the most nominations during her time in the house.

Series 7: Alex Reid

Year: 2010


In a relationship with Katie Price at the time, Alex Reid was loved by viewers, earning a huge 65.9% of the vote during the final in 2010. Alex was in the final alongside Dane Bowers and Vinnie Jones.

Series 8: Paddy Doherty

Year: 2011


During the first series to air on Channel 5, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty won over the public to be crowned the winner of series eight, ahead of the likes of Kerry Katona and Jedward.

Series 9: Denise Welch

Year: 2012


Bosses chose to air an additional series of CBB in 2012, with Denise Welch winning the Winter series ahead of X Factor star Frankie Cocozza.

Series 10: Julian Clary

Year: 2012


During the Summer series in 2012, actor and comedian Julian Clary was crowned the winner ahead of Coleen Nolan, despite not being massively popular with his fellow housemates.

Series 11: Rylan Clark

Year: 2013


Despite landing a place on the show thanks to his hilarious antics on The X Factor, Celebrity Big Brother turned out to be a life-changing experience for Rylan Clark. After his stint on the Winter series in 2013, Rylan landed a job presenting spin-off series Big Brother's Bit on the Side.


The rest is history, with Rylan now being one of the most popular TV and radio hosts around!

Series 12: Charlotte Crosby

Year: 2013


Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby certainly didn't hold back in the house, taking her wild partying antics into the house with her. Despite annoying some of her housemates, Charlotte was adored by the voting public, going on to win the show ahead of Five singer Abz Love.

Series 13: Jim Davidson

Year: 2014


Series 13 of Celebrity Big Brother saw an unlikely bromance form between comedian Jim Davidson and N-Dubz star Dappy. After the pair both made it to the final, it was Jim who was crowned the winner!

Series 14: Gary Busey

Year: 2014


American actor Gary Busey made CBB history during the Summer series in 2014, becoming the most nominated housemate ever! Despite this, Gary somehow went on to win the series following a public vote.

Series 15: Katie Price

Year: 2015


Despite entering the house as a late arrival and clashing with Katie Hopkins, Katie Price actually went on to win series 15, claiming victory ahead of arch-nemesis Katie Hopkins.

Series 16: James Hill

Year: 2015


CBB bosses decided on a UK vs USA theme for the 2015 Summer series, which saw celebs from the UK and USA going head-to-head. The Apprentice star James Hill went on to win series 16.

Series 17: Scotty T

Year: 2016


To date, series 17 of Celebrity Big Brother is perhaps the most memorable and most-loved by fans! Starring the likes of Gemma Collins, Stephanie Davis, Jeremy McConnell, and Megan McKenna, the series served up some hilarious moments and plenty of drama, with Geordie Store star Scotty T being crowned the winner.

Series 18: Stephen Bear

Year: 2016


Stephen Bear won the 18th series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Series 19: Coleen Nolan

Year: 2017


In January 2017 bosses chose to have a All Stars Vs New Stars series, featuring celebrities who had already taken part in the past. After finishing as runner-up in 2012, Coleen Nolan was crowned the winner during series 19!

Series 20: Sarah Harding

Year: 2017


Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding appeared on the series in 2017, going on to win the show after she endured a number of fiery rows with Jemma Lucy. Sarah also enjoyed a romance with The Bachelor star Chad Johnson in the house.


Sarah sadly passed away in September 2021, following a battle with cancer.

Series 21: Courtney Act

Year: 2018


Series 21 of CBB made history when it was confirmed all housemates during the launch show would be women, to mark 100 years of women's suffrage. Shane Lynch, Ann Widdecombe and drag queen Courtney Act made it to the final, with Courtney being crowed the winner.

Series 22: Ryan Thomas

Year: 2018


The last series of Celebrity Big Brother was won by former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, after he was wrongly-accused by fellow housemate Roxanne Pallett of assaulting her in the house.


Following the final, Channel 5 announced both Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother had been axed.

Series 23: David Potts

Year: 2024

Reality star David Potts was crowned the winner of the first ever ITV/STV series in 2024. David was in the final alongside Nikita Kuzmin, Colson Smith, Louis Walsh and Fern Britton.

In recent months, 64-year-old Sarah has been appearing on a number of ITV/STV shows such as Lorraine and This Morning, where she's been trying out a new career path.

On Christmas Day, Sarah also joined the Royal Family for the first time in decades, walking to St Mary Magdalene Church alongside her daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, and the rest of the Royal Family.

Sarah could be seen waving to the public, as well as accepting Christmas gifts and flowers from excited onlookers.

Despite the rumours, ITV/STV bosses are yet to confirm the line-up for Celebrity Big Brother.

Celebrity Big Brother will air on ITV/STV in March 2024.

Now read:

Celebrity Big Brother start date 'confirmed'

Everything you need to know about Celebrity Big Brother's revival

Celebrity Big Brother: Who has won the show in the past?

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