Memorable contestants of Celebrity Big Brother

The first edition of 'Celebrity Big Brother' aired in 2001. More than two decades later, hundreds of celebrities have passed through TV's most famous house, but we still find the list incredibly surprising.

In the image, the late Ivana Trump

Who would have told Ivana Trump that years after her appearance on CBB, her ex-husband would become President of the United States? She entered the house on the sixth day via a box - as part of a magic trick - and surprised many viewers and contestants. The producers were hoping she would talk about her marriage to Donald Trump, but she was voted off pretty quickly (the sixth to leave the house) so that never happened.

The late actress surprised all with her presence on the reality show. Even more so when she emerged as an outstanding contestant. Only actor Ryan Thomas managed to snatch the victory from her which, at times, many thought was certain to go to Kirstie.

The singer shone with her bubbly personality whilst she was in the house. She was sunny, approachable, and sweet like few other contestants ever have been. You only needed to see her in the house for one day before knowing she would win. The photos of her victory in the reality show went viral after her tragic death.

Dustin Diamond: The late actor, known for playing Screech Powers in 'Saved by the Bell', threw himself into the competition and gave it his all to win. It wasn't enough and he ended up being the fourth person to be voted off.

Famous for her appearance on 'The Apprentice,' Hopkins was an incredibly controversial member of the Celebrity Big Brother house. Katie Hopkins went on to become an even more outspoken columnist and is often criticized for her opinions on classism, obesity, the unemployed, and other celebrities. Believe it or not, she was the runner-up of this season.

Photo: Channel 5

The Tintin hair duo, famous for their appearance on 'X Factor,' did a good job in the house; although many thought they would be winding up the other contestants more than they did. They finished third but never ended their relationship with housemate Tara Reid who, to this day, is a good buddy of theirs.

Photo: Channel 5

Not only was she the runner-up in 2010, but she also won the competition seven years later! Primarily the youngest in the sister group, The Nolans, she went on to become an incredibly successful presenter and personality. Although, the show left Coleen in a bad way after the feud between her and housemate, Kim Woodburn, who have publicly had rifts and insulted each other on live television. In the house, they learned to ignore each other so hopefully, the time passed has meant they have all moved on.

Photo: Channel 5

After being nominated for elimination early on, the comedian survived and went on to win this edition of the show. It was a difficult journey for the entertainer who often played the middle-man in many spats, trying to keep calm and balance in the house.

Photo: Channel 5

Many people remember those incredibly awkward moments between Barrymore and Jodie Marsh. She called him a "narcissistic bully" and, in response, Michael said that she should 'stop moaning about everything'. He said to Marsh: "You're getting exactly what you want - all the attention." Michael Barrymore retreated from the public eye once the show was over.

Photo: E4

Many remember the former glamour model, TV personality, and presenter, Melinda Messenger, but she didn't sparkle and shine on the show as she did when hosting the popular game shows she is famous for. Despite her peaceful existence in the house, Sue Perkins wasn't exactly enamored with her, calling her a 'blonde vulture' with a lack of emotion. Later she told the press that the whole experience was 'so boring'.

Photo: Instagram / @Melissa.j.messenger

Charlotte was at the top of her game in 2013, thanks to 'Geordie Shore' and many knew that, unless she made a big mess of things, she would be the winner from minute one. Her participation was as spectacular, if not more, than any episode of 'Geordie Shore'. Charlotte never disappoints.

The actor, comedian, and presenter was the first official winner of the world's first 'Big Brother' celebrity edition. In that edition, there were only six celebrities who lived together and they only had to put up with each other for a mere eight days.

The same happened in the second series - it was a short run of just ten days and shared with five other celebrities. The 30-year-old former member of 'Take That' took the second edition of the reality show back in 2002.

Sylvester Stallone's mother, a well-known astrologer, entered the house at the age of 83. Her age was not enough to see her progress in the competition and, just eight days after entering, she was kicked out. She passed away in 2020, aged 98.

The Danish actress and well-known face from the 80s and 90s did a more than creditable job, reaching the final and finishing in third place. In this edition, there were already nine contestants and 18 days in the house.

One of the best-remembered bay-watchers, she hoped her fame would last and this would propel her to win the show, but she didn't even come close. She was the sixth one to be voted out of the 11 contestants.

The retired NBA basketball player who was Michael Jordan's teammate on the six-ring Chicago Bulls (although he only won five) certainly provided good entertainment in the Big Brother house. Ejected in fifth place, the 21 days he spent in the house were enough for six editions. He exited the house wearing sunglasses and a cap which he refused to remove during the interview.

Photo: Channel 4

Phoenix, the legendary character that was one of the four members of 'The A-Team', entered the Big Brother house at the age of 61. He did a pretty good job and ended up coming third.

Michael Jackson's younger brother and one of the members of the original 'The Jackson Five' almost won the fifth edition. He managed to hold on for 26 days in the house and finished in second place. Shilpa Shetty snatched the victory on the final day.

The late actor had a great time in the house, proving that he was the life of the party wherever he went. However, his eccentric personality was not enough to win and he ended up in fourth place, leaving the title to be grabbed this year by Ulrika Johnson.

Perhaps the most recognizable one of the three members of the Norwegian boy band 'A1', ended up in fifth place. Despite not being the funniest guy in the room, his constant flirting with Michelle Heaton made his plot pretty interesting and funny to follow during the sixth installment of the show.

Seeing how well Jermaine had done, the producer didn't hesitate and called in the eldest sister of the family. However, her time in the house did not quite match up to her brother's and she was voted out in fifth place.

The exuberant and curvaceous model was aiming for the win in the sixth season. She only managed to stay eight days in the house, being the first expelled of the edition.

Vinnie - the former footballer and actor, was able to prove that, on a day-to-day basis, he is not the tough guy he always appears to be in front of the cameras. In fact, he's a big softy who overcomes many difficulties in his personal life. His good vibes and jokes led him to third place in an edition that was finally won by martial arts expert Alex Reid.

The youngest of the Baldwin brothers, he certainly didn't have the success he had hoped for in the Celebrity Big Brother house, being the fourth person to be evicted in the seventh season.

The actress, once a teenage icon thanks to 'American Pie', had a sad end to her stint in 'Big Brother'. She was the third person to be evicted and was leagues behind the winner of the edition, Mr. Doherty.

David Hasselhoff's ex-wife was also booted off the show, even before Tara Reid. She was second to be expelled from the house that year and she only spent 14 days with her fellow Big Brother contestants.

The actor's presence in the reality show came as a surprise to many, although his participation was exemplary. He finished in fourth place, spending 23 days in the Big Brother house. Denise Welch, a well-known actress and TV talk-show host, went on to win the competition.

The move from 'Jersey Shore' to the 'Big Brother' house might seem like too much for someone like The Situation and, at times, it was. That said, the ex-addict and convict's time on the reality show was a constant spectacle, and more positive than negative. He finished fourth in an edition that was won by comedian Julian Clary.

They entered together and were treated as one contestant for nominations and tests. And they didn't do too badly at all. That's the thing about being experts in reality TV (occupation officially listed as reality TV personality). They came close to winning, finishing second, only to fall to the absolute dominator of the edition: Rylan Clark.

The boxer didn't seem to be sufficiently content with being on television all the time as it was, that he also wanted to enter the Big Brother house. However, his adventure lasted less than any of his fights, as he was the first to be expelled from the edition.

The same thing happened to Ricci on 'Big Brother' as on 'Geordie Shore', he got caught up with it all too early on. He was a potential winner but he believed it from the beginning and it ended up taking its toll on him. He was the seventh person voted off the show.

The legendary Buddy Holly and shameless Hollywood star produced a manual on how to win a reality show: Be entertaining, engaging, and a real hoot when you have to be. Veteranship is a degree and, in this case, the 70-year-old actor used it in the best possible way. Winner by a landslide.

The 'Baywatch' cast continued to supply the reality show, although Jeremy Jackson did not leave the house in very good standing. He lasted just four days in the house, before becoming the first evictee of the edition.

The blogger played a very important role in the reality TV show. He was close to his companions, participative, and, obviously, very gossipy. Now, it was only enough for him to reach a creditable sixth place.

The voluptuous model did 31 days of perfect cohabitation. The press couldn't get enough and, at times, she seemed like the only adult in the house. The public rewarded her with a well-deserved first place in the edition.

Indeed, there were quite a lot of viewers who thought that the adult film actress was going to do something pretty risky in the house. With an initial fake eviction shocking the audience, the actress was the seventh person to be voted out, in a season that was won by James Hill, an expert in reality TV.

If his brother Stephen made a complete mess-up of his season, well, along came Daniel Baldwin to better his brother's attempt. He lasted just nine days in the house, being the second evicted of the edition. So, as it happens, Stephen won the war of the 'Big Brothers'.

The influencer was kicked out before Daniel Baldwin and sadly her stay in the house lasted two days. She didn't even have time to unpack her suitcase.

Another 'Geordie Shore' persona who managed to win. Scotty T already had half the world in love with his smile, good vibes and constant desire to party. In 'Big Brother' he didn't change his character and was the great entertainer of the season, throughout the 32 days it lasted.

After Scotty T won, it was up to a Geordie Shore member to enter, but she did not win her edition. However, Marnie made it to the final and finished in respectable fourth place.

The singer/model, who has often appeared in the press for her secret relationships and many arguments (thanks to her fiery temperament), finished in fifth place, despite being one of the public's favorites.

A real 80s icon entered the house in the 18th season, showing the show had not become outdated and no longer worthy of good contestants. However, she was the sixth celebrity to be evicted and didn't hold back when it came to talking about her housemates.

The discontinued boy bands of the 90s have been a very interesting source of participants for the reality show. In this case, the former Boyzone member finished in third place, behind politician Ann Widdecombe and artist Courtney Act, winner of the season.

It is hard to believe that more footballers have not passed through this reality show. In Jermaine Pennant's case, it was all for nothing, with an eighth place finish that left him in no man's land. Which, in footballing terms, would have kept him out of Europe.

The actress took part in the first edition held in the USA in 2018. She was the third voted out, making it clear that her time of wine and roses is over.

The legendary NBA player and champion with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010, was the fourth person voted off the first edition of the reality show.

Designer, model, and, above all, socialite, known for being one of the stars of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills', she was voted out fifth on 'Celebrity Big Brother 1'.

She became famous after participating in the first edition of 'The Apprentice', the reality show where Donald Trump was looking for business talent. Trump himself took Omarosa to the White House Communications Cabinet after winning the 2016 election. However, less than a year later, she was removed from her post by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, due to "money and integrity issues". She finished fifth place in CBB.

The 'Sugar Ray' frontman and vocalist was one of the most desirable men in the late 90s/ early 2000s. Today, he retains much of his fame but not enough to get past a fourth-place finish on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.

The actor became world famous for being Lindsay Lohan's crush on 'Mean Girls'. His time on the reality show is similar to his later acting career: he was voted off early... the second celebrity to leave the second season.

One of the best swimmers in history, with 12 medals to his name, learned a big lesson the hard way: Being a national sports hero doesn't necessarily count for much on reality TV. He was the third person voted off the show.

TV legend and Blossom's eternally handsome brother, he was aiming to win, but his failure to cohabit with the other housemates led him to be the fourth person to be voted out.

Another TV star, in this case from the WWE, learned the hard way that having your audience in wrestling doesn't mean you can win 'Big Brother'. She was the sixth voted out of her edition.

Toni Braxton's sister, who made her name with her four sisters in the group the 'Braxtons', was the winner of the second edition. Tamar Braxton gave a great example of coexistence and general friendliness which allowed her to grab the title of CBB Winner 2019.