Celebrity Big Brother drew in 2.8million viewers during its ITV launch episode on Monday evening – 700,000 more than the last series launch.
The celebrity spin-off of the reality show last aired on Channel 5 in 2018 but was axed after its viewing figures for both the celeb and civilian series dropped.
The first episode of the final celebrity Channel 5 series drew in 2.1 million viewers, peaking with a total of 2.5 million viewers.
However, the ITV relaunch proved to be a ratings hit, as it peaked at 3.2 million viewers across all devices – its highest launch since 2016.
According to overnight reports, during its linear air time alone, ITV1 had more than double the audience of any other channel.
Celebrity Big Brother drew in 2.8million viewers during its ITV launch episode on Monday evening – 700,000 more than the last series launch
However, the ITV relaunch proved to be a ratings hit, as it peaked at 3.2 million viewers across all devices – its highest launch since 2016
The new series also secured the highest 16-34 audience of the night, with 463,000 and a 42.5 per cent audience share.
It also beat the launch of the civilian series, which aired in October and saw 2.5million people tune in to watch the show return to screens.
Celebrity Big Brother aired for the first time in six years on Monday night as 12 new housemates – and a brand new house lodger – arrived.
The launch episode, which aired on ITV for the first time ever, welcomed a host of recognisable faces from the showbiz industry ahead of a possible three week stint.
Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best were on hand to greet the celebrities outside of the iconic house, before they headed inside to get acquainted.
However, as the stars of reality TV, soapland and social media arrived, viewers complained that they didn’t recognise any of the contestants.
Celebrity Big Brother fans said they were let down by the confirmed line-up of the new series and claimed they had to Google most of their names.
Celebrity Big Brother returned to TV screens for the first time in six years on Monday night as 12 new housemates – and a brand new house lodger – arrived
But if the first episode is anything to go by, viewers will be anything but disappointed, as it featured some hilarious moments from the cast.
Within minutes of the episode starting, Sharon Osbourne had already kissed AJ on the lips and Louis Walsh had let slip that he knew ‘Mrs O’ was waiting inside.
So as the new series of the celebrity spin-off begins, we take a look at the 10 most memorable moments from the first episode…
Sharon kissing AJ on the lips
Sharon Osbourne left host AJ utterly stunned moments into the launch show as she planted a huge kiss on her lips before entering the house.
The X Factor star has moved into the famous abode as the first ever house ‘lodger’, and quickly won over viewers.
After high-fiving members of the audience, Sharon rushed up to the stage where she gave AJ a huge kiss, leaving the presenter lost for words.
While AJ was taken Aback, Sharon quipped that she’d gotten lipstick on her face.
Sharon Osbourne left host AJ utterly stunned moments into the launch show as she planted a huge kiss on her lips before entering the house
The X Factor star has moved into the famous abode as the first ever house ‘lodger’, and quickly won over viewers
Louis lets slip he knows ‘Mrs O’ is inside
Louis Walsh hilariously let slip he knew who was entering the iconic house before the launch show.
Louis was the second celeb to enter, but was quick to tell the hosts he knew X Factor pal Sharon Osbourne would be in the house.
Viewers found the moment hilarious, with one penning on social media platform X: ‘Louis Walsh being on the screen NOT EVEN TWO MINS and BLOWING his cover by saying, “Mrs O I heard she went in there” ICONIC’
Another wrote: ‘Louis just confirmed the cast knew about each other. Oh its over.’
Louis Walsh hilariously let slip he knew who was entering the iconic house before the launch show
Louis was the second celeb to enter, but was quick to tell the hosts he knew X Factor pal Sharon Osbourne would be in the house
AJ grilling Gary on Kate Middleton’s whereabouts
Uncle to Kate Middleton, Gary is hoping to bring the fun to this year’s series by being ‘entertaining and a wind up’.
With Kate out of the spotlight while recovering from abdominal surgery, royal fans will no doubt hope that the millionaire businessman, 58, who is the brother of Kate’s mother, will open up about his relationship with his niece.
And as Gary prepared to enter the house, host AJ Odudu wasted no time in asking him whether his royal niece would be tuning in.
Gary joked: ‘She will be hiding behind the sofa if she is watching’.
Quizzing him further, AJ asked: Which sofa? Which house?’, as she further probed him on where Kate is amid questions about the princesses whereabouts.
Uncle to Kate Middleton , Gary is hoping to bring the fun to this year’s series by being ‘entertaining and a wind up’
And as Gary prepared to enter the house, host AJ Odudu wasted no time in asking him whether his royal niece would be tuning in
Gary’s flying low
Gary also got fans talking when he arrived at the house with his flies down.
And fans of the show were quick to point out a rather embarrassing blunder as he awkwardly suffered a wardrobe malfunction.
Upon entering the house, viewers watching at home spotted that Gary’s flies were undone and questioned why no one had told him.
Sharing their thoughts on X, one person wrote: Gary! Your flies are undone mate!’
Another added: ‘Sorry did Gary Goldsmith just walk in with his flies undone.’
A third person commented: ‘Not really sure who Gary is, but can someone please politely let him know his flies are undone.’
‘Gary Goldsmith’s flies are undone,’ another noted.
Gary also got fans talking when he arrived at the house with his flies down
And fans of the show were quick to point out a rather embarrassing blunder as he awkwardly suffered a wardrobe malfunction
Lauren shocked viewers with a very raunchy confession just seconds after her arrival.
The Real Housewives of Cheshire star, 51, made some very X-rated remarks in her introduction video tape.
When talking about what will be her favourite topic to discuss in the house Lauren said: ‘I don’t like talking about politics because I don’t really understand it.
‘I like talking about sex because I’m really good at that! I’m a natural flirt – I flirt with men, cats, dogs, women!’
It came as her daughter begging her not to talk about sex ahead of the show kicking off. Lauren shares two daughters – Gigi and Kika – with her ex husband Paul Simon.
Lauren shocked viewers with a very raunchy confession just seconds after her arrival
It came after her daughter (pictured) begging her not to talk about sex ahead of the show kicking off as she watched in the audience
After pulling up in the famous car and bounding up onto stage Will asked Lauren’s daughter Gigi, 19, if she had any final words for her as she stood in the audience.
She then quipped: ‘Don’t have any sex!’
Lauren then exclaimed ‘no sex’ with a pained expression on her face.
Will then checked if her daughter had actually warned Lauren against any sexual activity in the house as he booed the notion.
AJ asked her what other home comforts she would miss before Will interjected: ‘Other than sex!’
Louis’ name tag gaffe
Louis got fans giggling when he commented that Levi Roots impressively knew everyone’s names as he greeted them following his arrival in the house.
However, viewers were quick to point out that the reason Levi knew everyone’s names was because they were wearing name tags on their clothes.
Taking to Twitter to share their reactions, people said: ‘Louis, of course Levi knows everyone’s names, they’re wearing name tags!’
‘Louis Walsh saying Levi knows everyone’s names whilst they are all wearing name tags #CBB #CBBUK.’
‘Louis, of course Levi knows everyone’s names, they’re wearing name tags!’
Louis got fans giggling when he commented that Levi Roots impressively knew everyone’s names as he greeted them following his arrival in the house
Taking to Twitter to share their reactions, people said: ‘Louis, of course Levi knows everyone’s names, they’re wearing name tags!’
Is Louis reading cue cards?
Louis himself appeared to know an awful lot about each contestant as fans joked Louis Walsh must have been doing his homework.
As he joined Sharon in a secret room to ‘judge’ all of the contestants, the former X Factor star could be seen filling in Sharon on each arrival.
In a series first, Big Brother introduced Sharon as its first ever house lodger, heading into the house for a guest stint with Louis to star as ‘the judges.’
The duo, hidden in a separate room, were tasked with choosing the first three housemates to put in the danger zone and ultimately face eviction.
As they reunited on screen for the first time in seven years, Louis explained who each new entry was, with viewers comparing the scene to The Devil Wears Prada.
Sharing their thoughts on X, one person wrote: ‘Louis is a walking talking wikipedia wtf.’
Louis himself appeared to know an awful lot about each contestant as fans joked Louis Walsh must have been doing his homework
Another questioned: ‘What in the Devil wears Prada is going on? How does Louis know everyone?
‘So Louis let slip he knew Sharon was gonna be in there, he’s totes been doing his homework on the other leaked names hasn’t he? I love him briefing Mrs O on each person,’ a third person added.
Someone else joked: ‘Louis is literally explaining every celebrity to Sharon like Andrea and Emily to Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada.’
Eagle-eyed viewers noted that it looked like Louis was reading off cue cards when he wasn’t sure who somebody was.
Sharon comments on David Potts’ ‘fruit and veg’
Sharon left fans in hysterics after her priceless reaction to David Potts.
She got quite a shock as Ibiza Weekender star David entered as she exclaimed: ‘Oh dear. Interesting’ at his arrival.
David made sure all eyes were on him as he put on a very leggy display for his entrance as he donned a black blazer with lace sleeves, and no trousers.
Baffled by his appearance, Sharon exclaimed: ‘His fruit and veg are hanging down!’
As Louis asked: ‘Why are you looking there?’ she replied: ‘ I can’t help it, I can see them bouncing around’.
Taking to Twitter fans were beside themselves at the pair’s reaction as one exclaimed: ‘SCREAMING AT LOUIS AND SHARON’S REACTION TO DAVID POTTS!!!!!!’
A second asked: ‘Why was Sharon Osbourne looking at David Potts’ ‘fruit and veg’?’
Sharon left fans in hysterics after her priceless reaction to David Potts
She got quite a shock as Ibiza Weekender star David entered as she exclaimed: ‘Oh dear. Interesting’ at his arrival
Nikita we’re in here!
Another funny moment from the secret room was when Louis hadn’t realised he wasn’t supposed to alert the new housemates to their location.
Sharon was the first in and was soon joined by Louis, before they were swept away to the secret room to judge the new arrivals.
The next to arrive was Strictly professional Nikita Kuzmin who believed he was first in, however Louis appeared to forget the aim of the game.
He could be heard shouting: ‘We’re in here!’, before Sharon reminded him that they were supposed to be in hiding.
The next to arrive was Strictly professional Nikita Kuzmin who believed he was first in, however Louis appeared to forget the aim of the game
Lauren shouts out ‘Sharon and Louis!’
Towards the end of the episode, the housemates are asked to gather around on the sofas as Big Brother has some news to share.
Big Brother reveals that the 11 arrivals aren’t the only ones in the house, explaining that they have been being secretly judged all night.
As it becomes clearer what is going on, someone shouts out ‘the judges!’
Before RHOC star Lauren can be heard saying: ‘Sharon and Louis!’
Celebrity Big Brother returns tonight on ITV1 and ITVX.
Towards the end of the episode, the housemates are asked to gather around on the sofas as Big Brother has some news to share
CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2024: MEET THE LINEUP
SHARON OSBOURNE
AGE: 71
FAMOUS FOR: Being a member of the Osbourne family, married to rock legend husband Ozzy as well as being a judge on The X Factor.
GARY GOLDSMITH
AGE: 58
FAMOUS FOR: Being Kate Middleton’s ‘black sheep’ uncle.
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 29
FAMOUS FOR: Winning Love Island in 2022
COLSON SMITH
AGE: 25
FAMOUS FOR: Playing Craig Tinker in Coronation Street
FERN BRITTON
AGE: 66
FAMOUS FOR: Nineties TV sensation, and acting as Phillip Schofield’s This Morning sidekick.
BRADLEY RICHES
AGE: 24
FAMOUS FOR: Starring in Netflix’s Heartstopper
MARISHA WALLACE
AGE: 38
FAMOUS FOR: Actress and singer
LOUIS WALSH
AGE: 71
FAMOUS FOR: His stint as an X Factor judge following a prestigious career as a music manager to bands like Westlife and Boyzone.
DAVID POTTS
AGE: 30
FAMOUS FOR: Ibiza Weekender
ZEZE MILLZ
AGE: 35
FAMOUS FOR: Social media star
LAUREN SIMON
AGE: 47
FAMOUS FOR: The Real Housewives of Cheshire
LEVI ROOTS
AGE: 65
FAMOUS FOR: One of Dragons’s Den’s biggest success stories.
NIKITA KUZMIN
AGE: 26
FAMOUS FOR: Being a professional on Strictly Come Dancing
