I visited the Celebrity Big Brother house after its eye-popping makeover – here’s why this year’s series is set to be the toughest yet

With the new series of Celebrity Big Brother just days away, it appears that this year’s series could be the most gruelling yet.

While ITV have landed a lineup that could be considered its most star-studded in history, even Hollywood heavyweights Mickey Rourke and Jojo Siwa won’t be immune from the challenges that lie ahead.

Bosses have pulled out all the stops for this year’s lineup, with other big names including Trisha Goddard, Chesney Hawkes and Patsy Palmer also thought to be taking part, with huge salaries to match.

And having been lucky enough to get a glimpse of the famous abode, I can confirm that it will be a jaw-dropping sight when stars head through the famous doors on Monday.

Awash with colour and lights, there’s nowhere to escape Big Brother’s watchful eye, with even the famous mezzanine, which graced the house last year and offered some housemates a brief moment alone, now a thing of the past.

This year’s house, which has been built in a brand new location, is also significantly smaller than the one which featured in the civilian series last year, meaning there are little spots for stars to escape to when they need a moment to themselves.

A slight change in layout means that any surprise groups are in view from all angles, with even the garden doors offering a glimpse all the way through the bedroom. 

While the kitchen will no-doubt be well-stocked when the housemates move in, it remains to be seen how long these stocks will last, especially when some of this year’s stars are likely used to receiving good food at the snap of a finger.

Celebrities will also have to complete the famous shopping tasks in a bid to keep the fridge and cupboards filled, a far cry from the swanky restaurants that some of this year’s names will be used to, and try to avoid breaking the house rules, under the fear of having luxuries confiscated.

One small vice may come in the nightly ‘refreshments’, when a limited amount of alcohol is delivered for the housemates to enjoy.

This will likely feature regularly on the late-night live feed, which is set to be shown on YouTube and ITVX simultaneously for the first time.

However, without the presence of their minders and managers, stars will have to fend for themselves when it comes to meals and cleaning, with the division of cooking and household chores likely to be a topic of frustration for some.

Could this lead to a surprise name facing eviction? Time will tell.

Likely used to their private space, all of this year’s stars will be moving into one bedroom, with it up to Big Brother when they’re allowed to turn in for the night.

However, with the addition of a prominently-placed double bed, some reluctant stars will be forced to share, sparking questions of whether there could be yet another house romance.

Some of this year’s more glamorous stars may find themselves jostling for the mirror in a bathroom, despite the vast space, with the showers taking pride of place in the middle of the room.

While the toilets are camera-free, a microphone means any secret chats and gossip will be picked up, and could spark yet more drama.

As ever, the living room will be the heart of the house, with stars gathered on the famous sofa ahead of nominations, and for each live eviction, ready to see whether viewers have voted to see them exit early, or keep them for a few days more.

As and when they do say farewell, they will head through the specially-placed eviction door, notable thanks to huge star at the top.

The Diary Room will provide a welcome break from the chaos for some celebrities, ready to vent their frustrations to Big Brother, or pour their hearts out to the viewing nation.

Last year’s civilian lineup may recognise the famous chair, as it is eerily similar to that series, which saw Ali Bromley crowned champion.

This year it’s been given a starry-themed makeover, complete with a gold finish and red curtains, only apt given this is the celebrity edition.

On Friday, the jaw-dropping salaries that this year’s stars are being paid were also revealed and some will be bagging a bigger paycheck than others. 

While some shows such as Strictly Come Dancing pay their contestants the same rate, CBB stars are paid a varied salary – with the bigger the star meaning the bigger the pay. 

Last year, Sharon Osbourne earned a whopping £800,000 for just an eight day stint as a ‘celebrity lodger’, with her pal Louis Walsh taking home £500,000.

This year, Hollywood heavyweight Mickey Rourke is the highest paid housemate, with the actor’s earnings being a whopping £480,000 more than the lowest paid star.

With the hotly-anticipated series just around the corner, we take a look at the reported wages of all the housemates…

Mickey Rourke

Mickey’s astronomical payday was recently revealed by MailOnline, with it being said the 80s action star, 72, is being paid a huge six-figure sum.

However, the exact figure has now been revealed, with Mickey set to bag an impressive £500,000 for his stay in the house, despite it previously being reported that he’d bank close to £1million.

A source told The Sun: ‘Mickey is considered a loose cannon, and producers think he is worth getting their big cheque book out for. He is unpredictable, and they know lots of people will tune in to see if he cracks under the pressure.’ 

Jojo Siwa  

Mickey’s fellow American Jojo is the next highest earning star of the series according to the publication, with the entertainer apparently taking home £400,000.

Jojo has certainly earned her place as one of the biggest signings this year, having shot to fame on Dance Moms in 2015 before going on to star in several shows and embark on a successful music career. 

A source added to The Sun: ‘US TV gigs generally pay a lot more than their UK counterparts, so JoJo’s team will expect a minimum amount of money on the table to even consider the offer from CBB bosses.’

They added that the star can ‘easily earn’ a six-figure fee without leaving the US, so leaving her life behind for month of the month has to be ‘worth it financially’. 

Trisha Goddard

Former chat show host Trisha is the highest earning British star of the 2025 series, earning a respectable £200,000, suggests reports.

Brave Trisha has signed up for Celebrity Big Brother despite having incurable stage four breast cancer after she said: ‘I must keep enjoying what I have always enjoyed’.

It is thought that the journalist will ‘do really well’ and ‘go far’ in the show. 

Daley Thompson 

The double Olympic gold-medallist is considered one of Britain’s greatest athletes, and he would no doubt cause a stir with younger celebrities in the house.

With that being said, it’s little surprise that he’s bagged a £150,000 payday for his time on the show, with his status meaning he comes with a ‘certain price tag’. 

Michael Fabricant 

The former Conservative politician is understood to have signed a lucrative six-figure deal to take part after political stars were banned from the broadcaster’s other reality show, I’m A Celeb.

The Sun reports that Michael has agreed to a £120,000 fee.

His wage is nothing compared to former politicians Matt Hancock and Nigel Farage, who bagged £320k and £1.5millon respectively. 

Patsy Palmer 

The EastEnders legend is known for playing feisty Bianca Jackson on and off in teh soap since 1993.

But after recently saying goodbye to the role, it remains to be seen if she’s anything like fiery alter-ego in the house. 

Patsy is said to have been offered £100,000 for her time on the show, which is reported the ‘going rate’ for a long-running soap icon. 

Jack P Shepherd

Like his fellow soap stalwart Patsy, Coronation Street star Jack will also bag a £100,000 fee.

With an impressive 25 years playing David Platt under his belt, he’s managed to bag more than his pal and fellow Corrie star Colson Smith, who was given £70,000 last year. 

Angellica Bell 

The TV star has over 20 years experience of being in front of the camera, so a stint in the Big Brother house shouldn’t be too problematic for Angellica.

After an incredible rags to riches life, the beauty is reportedly set to add to her fortunes with a rather decent £80,000 fee. 

A source noted to The Sun: ‘Normally, someone who has been in the industry as long as Angellica might get in the six figure zone, but she lacks the controversy or scandal that would garner those higher price points.’ 

Chris Hughes

After shooting to fame on Love Island in 2017, Chris went on to become a sports presenter and regularly hosts the horse racing coverage on ITV.

And a stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house will no doubt give his career a further boost.

The hunk is also set to get a boost to his bank balance as he’s reportedly set to be paid a handsome fee of £45,000.

The wage is not as high as fellow Love Islander Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu due to her villa stint being fresher than his, in addition to her recent break-up with Davide Sanclimenti that bosses hoped she’d spill the beans on. 

Danny Beard 

The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner – whose real name is Daniel Curtis – signed up as a late entry. 

Danny previously made headlines after swearing on Big Brother’s Late & Live last March whilst doing an impression of housemate Louis Walsh. 

The incident saw the guest say the word ‘c***’ before immediately apologising after being informed they weren’t allowed to say that on the show. 

However, the incident didn’t put off show bosses, who are said to have offered Danny £30,000. 

Despite not being as well known as some, the source added that ‘drag queens don’t come cheap’. 

Donna Preston 

While Donna has featured in several TV shows and movies, the comedy star is known for hosting Apocalypse and for the role of a circus Compere in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald.

She is also a regular face on spin-off show Late & Live and is ‘very popular’ with ITV2 audiences.  

With that being said, Donna will reportedly earn the same as Danny, taking home £30,000. 

Chesney Hawkes 

The singer topped the charts for five weeks in 1991 with his hit The One And Only, before making a string of acting and TV appearances.

And his latest TV appearance will earn him a humble £25,000. 

His arrival on CBB has been described by a TV source as ‘perfect timing’, as he’s set to release a comeback album in April.

Chesney’s stint on the programme, branded a ‘novelty booking’, is reportedly not motivated by cash, but rather the publicity, which is great for him amid the release of his album. 

Ella Rae Wise 

Rounding off the list is TOWIE star Ella, who is this year’s lowest earning housemate.

The blonde bombshell is said to be taking home £20,000 – a whopping £480 less than US actor Mickey Rourke. 

It is said that a couple of factors have affected Ella’s fee, with one being that TOWIE doesn’t have the ‘pulling power’ it once did, meaning that she can’t command the higher fees former Essex stars have in the past.

In addition, while Ella has a strong social media following, it isn’t as high as the likes of Love Island’s Chris, who has around 2 million Instagram followers compared to Ella’s 340k. 

MailOnline have contacted Celebrity Big Brother representatives for comment.

Celebrity Big Brother returns on Monday, April 7 on ITV1 and ITVX..