We already know the strict and weird Big Brother rules and regulations that the housemates must abide by: playing cards are not allowed in the famous house, nor are musical instruments or even pens. Alongside the regular rules for the non-celebrity version, which are updated year on year to reflect the changing cultural climate, are some extra ones for the star-studded edition of the show.
Ahead of the new series of Celebrity Big Brother starting on ITV on 7 April, we look at the latest rules that have been added for this year’s housemates. Amongst the celebrity line-up rumoured to appear are WAG Rebekah Vardy, Patsy Palmer and Love Island's Chris Hughes. AJ Odudu and Will Best return to host the show.
Big Brother topics are strictly off-limits
Oti Mabuse, who appeared on the spin-off show Late & Live in 2024, revealed that talking about the show – past or present – or any of the series (Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother or Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack) is not allowed at all. Speaking about the production team, agents or the booking process is also a big no-no. She said, ‘You may not discuss any previous series of Big Brother or Celebrity Big Brother and you may not discuss any members of the production.’
This might be tricky for celebs who already have links to the show. Prior to his participation on the 2024 series of CBB, Levi Roots had a cameo in an earlier series, when he made a surprise appearance to host a party for the housemates in 2013.
And his fellow housemate, YouTuber Zeze Millz, tweeted about the show years before joining the show. She posted about housemate Pamela Anderson, who took part in 2011, and called the show ‘rubbish’. ‘Pamela is BROKE. You have 2 be to do this rubbish #BBUK,’ she wrote.
Nominations chat are forbidden
Not only are chatting about all things BB and CBB off the table, speaking about the nominations is banned too. Last year’s housemates Louis Walsh and Lauren Simon found themselves in trouble and punished after they were overheard discussing the nods by Big Brother – a big rule break.
The pair, who were talking after Lauren found out that she had received the most nominations for eviction, found themselves banished to the Celebrity Wheelie Bin of Shame. Any influencing of nominations is also restricted.
Shereen Low is a senior news and entertainment writer at Grazia, and lives and loves all things showbiz