The countdown is on for Celebrity Big Brother, with the new series set to launch in just a few days.
A fresh batch of celebrities are preparing to abandon the outside world and enter the house on Monday, and though the official line-up has yet to be announced, rumours have been swirling of it could include.
Last year saw Ekin-Su Culculoglu join Fern Britton, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne in the house, with David Potts crowned champion.
This time, it’s been claimed Hollywood icon Goldie Hawks, EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, Chesney Hawkes, Corrie’s Jack P Shepherd, Daley Thompson and Annie Walker are taking part.
They’ll reportedly be joined by reality star Ella Morgan, Love Island’s Chris Hughes, and drag queen Danny Beard.
And though we still don’t know for sure who will be entering the house, a winner has already been revealed.
According to the latest odds by Card Player, Daniel Curtis, who goes by Danny Beard on stage, is the current market leader as 3/1 to win the new series.
He’s followed by singer Chesney at 7/2 and Patsy at 5/1.
Liam Solomon, spokesperson for Card Player, said: ‘As we gear up for the upcoming series of Celebrity Big Brother on Monday, drag queen Danny Beard has taken the top spot in the market to win the show.
‘We’ve priced Beard at 3/1 as our current outright favourite the win the show as we expect him to be a fan favourite in the Big Brother house following various successful television appearances on Britain’s Got Talent and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
‘The remaining candidates in the top three in the betting are Chesney Hawkes and Patsy Palmer, priced 7/2 and 5/1 respectively.’
Other names thrown in the mix include Towie star Ella Rae Wise, who stands at odds of 7/1 to win, Angelica Bell, at odds of 12/1, and politician Michael Fabricant, at odds of 20/1.
Danny reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2016, and won season four of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, becoming the first bearded winner of any Drag Race franchise.
They’re also no stranger to the Big Brother franchise, having appeared on Late and Live last year, and having expressed their desire to work in TV.
Back in 2022, they told GayTimes: ‘I really wanna work in TV and I don’t mean celebrity picking up dog s**t, I would love to work in TV.
‘I would love to host television, I’d love my show eventually. I’d like to crack TV presenting and I think I can do it.
‘Listen to me! I’m sat here with no bloody knickers on saying, “I could be a TV presenter!”
‘I’d love to do it. It’s always been a dream, so let’s see if we can do it.’
A source previously told The Sun: ‘Danny is hilarious and witty yet also great to be around. They’re going to make a great housemate for viewers and the other celebs alike.’
Meanwhile, an ITV spokesperson has previously told Metro: ‘Any names suggested for Celebrity Big Brother are speculation.’
Celebrity Big Brother is returning for a second season after it was revived last year for the first time since 2018, hot on the heels of the successful ITV relaunch of Big Brother’s civilian edition, with AJ Odudu and Will Best as hosts.
ITV brought Big Brother back in 2023 after it had spent five years off the air following its earlier revival by Channel 5, which ran from 2011 to 2018.
Since its return, Jordan Sangha and Ali Bromley have been crowned winners, with a third season expected to air in October.
Celebrity Big Brother returns on Monday, April 7, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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