Celebrity Big Brother is has reportedly been confirmed to return next spring on ITV for the first time in six years after it was axed on Channel 5.
Bosses have apparently already been putting together a wish list of celebrity housemates, with Phillip Schofield, 61, currently at the top.
The show allegedly has a budget of £2million to secure cast members, with Boris Johnson’s ‘mistress’ Jennifer Arcuri also a target to appear.
A source said: ‘Celebrity Big Brother is coming back and ITV want massive names to kick it off. CBB is the perfect place for stars who are riding off the wave of a scandal, or something big happening in their lives.
‘Phillip Schofield is someone they’re going to approach, as well as people like Jennifer Arcuri, who had an alleged fling with Boris.’
It’s back! Celebrity Big Brother is has reportedly been confirmed to return next spring on ITV for the first time in six years after it was axed on Channel 5 with Phillip Schofield at the top of the contestant wish list
Success! The show has reportedly been green lit due to the success of the civilian series which is currently airing on ITV2 (stock image from this series)
MailOnline have contacted Big Brother for comment.
Phillip stepped out of the spotlight earlier this year when he quit This Morning after admitting to having an affair with a younger male colleague.
ITV later cut ties with Phillip and he was dropped from any commitments he had with the broadcaster. He was also let go by his agent, YMU.
U.S. businesswoman Jennifer, 38, previously claimed she had an affair with Boris Johnson during the time he was mayor of London.
The show has reportedly been green lit due to the success of the civilian series which is currently airing on ITV2.
The reality series had been receiving great ratings and 3.6million people tuned into the launch show when it kicked off last week.
Bosses were reportedly waiting to see how the series panned out before deciding to relaunch the celebrity version of the show.
The source said: ‘The more controversial the line-up the better. They want it to really come back with a bang.’
Plans: ITV bosses are reportedly bringing back ex-Big Brother stars to shake-up the new series of the show
Claims: Former contestant Nicola McLean said some iconic characters could be making a return
It comes soon after it was claimed ITV bosses are reportedly bringing back ex-Big Brother stars to shake-up the new series of the show, according to an ex-contestant.
The reboot has so far been filled with classic Big Brother drama, including a ‘food feud’ and disagreements after Farida was voted out.
But just a week after launching, viewing figures have fallen from 2.6million to 800,000, losing out to Married At First Sight in the ratings war.
Now, show producers are said to be planning to shake up the drama and boost ratings once more by bringing big names back from previous series.
Former contestant Nicola McLean said some iconic characters could be making a return.
The media personality, who appeared on the celebrity version of the show in 2012 and 2017, told the Daily Star: ‘I have heard through the grapevine that they might be bringing in like previous contestants, but from the civilian series, so it won’t be celebs.
‘Yeah, like Chanelle, Aisleyne, Pete, they’re all sort of that kind of category. I haven’t heard exactly who it will be but I’ve just heard that.’
Nicola was referring to Chanelle Hayes, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and Pete Bennett, whose careers were all launched after appearing on the show.
Glamour model Nicola continued: ‘I think it’s a very diverse cast, so I think it’s definitely moved with the times. You’ve got some strong characters in there. I’m enjoying it and I’m glad it’s back.’
MailOnline has reached out to ITV for comment.
Back again? Names posed for a return included Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, who came into the public eye on the 2006 series
Comeback? Chanelle Hayes was also one of the names mentioned
