The process of filming isn't as straightforward as it might appear - and not all footage makes it to the small screen. In fact, rumours suggest that certain celebrities have been given preferential treatment, and surprisingly, there are fewer cameras in operation for the celebrity edition.
The iconic show returns tonight (Monday, 7 April) with So far, it's been reported that Angellica Bell, Trisha Goddard, Mickey Rourke, JoJo Siwa, Patsy Palmer, Michael Fabricant and Chesney Hawkes are entering the CBB house. Danny Beard, Ella Rae Wise, Chris Hughes, Jack P Shepherd, and Daley Thompson are also said to have joined this year's star-studded line-up.
With a former Conservative MP, legend, American actor and Dance Moms star, there's bound to be some clashes in personalities, as seen every year. It's hard to miss any of the dramatic action as the BB cameras catch their every moves, or so we thought...
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Over the years, stars have claimed there are special privileges for certain celebs, and there are certain parts we don't see at all on the show. Rumours have emerged of contestants being treated to spray tans, makeovers and preferential treatment. Here, the takes a look at everything we know about the behind-the-scenes...
Apparently, the dozens of cameras hidden in every room and behind every mirror only feature in the regular person version. The celebrity version leaves cameras out of the bathroom so that contestants can do their business in peace. It's also a secret snogging escape and was allegedly used by and in the summer 2017 series.
It's said that production staff on the show use secret codes so they can discreetly discuss what's going on with the housemates without anyone overhearing. "To avoid causing unnecessary panic the codes are used to keep discretion at all times," a source told the in 2018. "They use code Zebra when someone is determined to leave the house and are ranting in the Diary Room."
Former housemates , - first in 2011 and again in 2017’s All-Stars edition on Channel 5 - revealed what else goes on behind closed doors. Edward told "Some nights got wild - everyone drinking, drama in the smoking area, and people waking up seriously hungover. It’s a mindf**k - the sleep deprivation, food drama, losing track of time. Even small things like the thermostat can set people off."
And it turns out that, once the lights go down, "When nighttime hits, all hell breaks loose," Edward revealed. "We didn’t drink, but some contestants would be drinking so much – at one point a girl was frying her microphone in the kitchen. The next day everyone would be totally hungover in the smoking area, on a big comedown."
When talking about romances unfolding in the house, John also revealed: "There are lots of condoms in there - they have a stash in the bathroom! The producers have high hopes they’ll get used."
This year's series is reportedly set to turn up the heat with producers eager for some show romances to play out on screen. A source told "Viewers are feeling frisky and commissioners have responded accordingly - there’s a huge trend in sexy, naughty reality television right now."
In response, they've added a new nook area in the garden, boasting a double sofa bed and black-out windows, and it's reportedly already been dubbed the "sex den" by the crew.
Two-time , who appeared in 2012 and returned for the All Stars version, previously revealed there are many perks to being a star inside the house. She told Heat Magazine: "I've been told got a blowdry a few times a week, and Patsy Kensit got blowdries and spray tans."
She explained: "Spencer Pratt got special cotton sheets, and insisted on him and Heidi being served food before the rest of us, so that no one else touched it." And the special treatment didn't stop there - she also claimed that Chloe Ferry was allowed to completely leave the CBB house to go and film scenes of MTV reality show .
"Chloe got to leave because she'd already committed to filming Geordie Shore," Nicola said. "I must admit, after a couple of glasses, a few of us were fuming because, regardless if you tell us you're not getting anything from the outside , you are."
Nicola explained that the CBB house had plentiful supply of alcohol - but the civilians on BB had less. She also revealed that tasks were done late at night to prevent housemates going to bed early, and anyone caught napping in the daytime would be yelled at by over the intercom until they got up.
Another ex-contestant, Alex Reid, who won CBB back in 2010, said that celebs would barter with producers for secret luxury items. He explained that if you needed something, Big Brother was able to get it for you but they'd "make you do something for it". He told : "Where people got on each other's nerves and started to crack on like week three, they allowed me to bring a punch bag."
Celebrity Big Brother starts tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
