Big Brother 2026 to bring back former Celeb housemates?

Former Celebrity Big Brother contestants could make an unexpected return to the house this year as part of a major twist reportedly being planned for the 2026 civilian series.

According to an exclusive report from The Sun, producers are exploring plans for familiar faces from Celebrity Big Brother’s Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV eras to appear during the new series.

Rather than competing as permanent housemates, the returning celebrities could reportedly enter as temporary guest residents or participate in specially designed tasks. The twist is expected to be unveiled shortly after the new civilian housemates settle into the house.

The report claims that producers have approached a wide range of former contestants, with Gemma Collins, Kerry Katona and JoJo Siwa said to feature on ITV’s wish list. None of these names has been officially confirmed, however, and the final details of the twist are reportedly still being developed.

Celebrity guests entering the house would not be entirely new territory for the programme.

Sharon Osbourne joined the 2024 Celebrity Big Brother series in a temporary “celebrity lodger” role, allowing her to participate without committing to the show’s full run. The format proved popular and may have inspired producers to bring a similar idea to the civilian series.

Big Brother is also getting an extended run this year and will return on 13 September 2026 and run for almost 8 weeks with a live final on the 5th November, Big Blagger understands.

AJ Odudu and Will Best are expected to return as hosts following the programme’s successful revival on ITV in 2023. The main programme is expected to be accompanied by a new VODCAST style companion show, with Big Brother: Late & Live airing just one night a week.

ITV has yet to officially confirm the returning-housemate twist or reveal which former contestants might take part.