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9 "unknown" CBB stars who ended up bossing the show

Photo credit: Gettyimages/DigitalSpy/AH / Rex Shutterstock
Photo credit: Gettyimages/DigitalSpy/AH / Rex Shutterstock

From Digital Spy

Whenever a Celebrity Big Brother line-up is revealed, there are always a few names that leave viewers wondering: "Who?"

But, more often than not, producers of the reality show aren't dumb, and they know exactly what they're doing by throwing these stars all into a house together.

They may not have been a big name before going in, but some celebs quickly made quite the impression and became integral parts of CBB history by the time they were evicted – or won. Just check out our list below.

1. Tiffany Pollard

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

The US reality star had fame across the pond, but was barely known by the British public. She'd starred on reality series Flavor of Love, and went on to have her own VH1 series, but neither aired in the UK during their respective runs.

However, after she entered the CBB house, it didn't take long for her sassy attitude to catch on with viewers, and she ended up supplying us with some of the most iconic Diary Room moments ever to air on the show and her epic take-down of TOWIE's Gemma Collins went viral.

Since the show came to an end, Tiffany's gone on to star on US reality show Famously Single, which previously featured current CBB housemate Brandi Glanville.

2. Jeremy McConnell

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Rumour has it the Irish model actually blagged his way onto the show by claiming to be more famous than he actually was. Well, it worked. Jezza made it into the house despite absolutely no-one knowing who he was.

But his rise to fame was pretty meteoric when he struck up a romance with Stephanie Davis, who was in a relationship with model Sam Reece at the time. The pair went on to have a baby together, before enduring a messy break-up.

At the time, though, their relationship was the main talking point of the entire series, marking one of the most controversial CBB romances ever.

3. Jackie Stallone

Photo credit: Channel 4
Photo credit: Channel 4

She might be the mother of one of the most popular action heroes of all time, but even we were clueless as to who Jackie actually was.

However, within seconds of entering, she earned herself a spot in the CBB Hall of Fame by uttering the iconic words: "Yeah... Jackie."

She still holds the record as the oldest housemate to ever take part in the show, and her lack of day-to-day knowledge made her hugely popular with viewers at home. Her tumultuous relationship with former daughter-in-law Brigitte, who asked to leave minutes after Jackie arrived, also remained a talking point throughout her time in the house.

4. Chloe Khan

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Just another glamour model before entering the house, Chloe quickly found a legion of new followers thanks to her saucy antics on the show.

She played up her romance with Stephen Bear – and while the pair's very public displays of affection turned off some viewers, after leaving the house, Chloe went on to star on Channel 5 reality show Celebrity 100% Hotter.

5. Stephanie Pratt

Photo credit: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic / Getty Images
Photo credit: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic / Getty Images

Another big US reality star that had previously failed to make an impression over here, Stephanie entered the show as the least known Pratt from The Hills. But it didn't take long for that to change once CBB started.

Her feisty attitude and unexpected 'romance' with George off of Gogglebox made for unexpected highlights of CBB 14.

6. Chantelle Houghton

Photo credit: Handout/Getty Images
Photo credit: Handout/Getty Images

Despite what Twitter claims every year, Chantelle was the first and only official non-celebrity to enter the CBB house. She had to pretend to be one of the stars, and managed to fool the majority of her housemates into believing she was a famous popstar.

Ironically, she emerged as that year's winner and ended up falling in love with fellow housemate Preston out of The Ordinary Boys. The pair married, broke up and divorced, but their high-profile relationship made her the talking point of every tabloid for months after the series came to an end.

She later returned to the show in 2010 when she took part in Ultimate Big Brother.

7. Aubrey O'Day

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Part of little known US girl group Danity Kane, Aubrey entered the 2016 series as one of the favourites to be kicked out first. But she managed to stick around until nearly the end, placing fifth, and was the only housemate that series not to have been up for eviction before the final.

Her friendship with fellow housemate Renee Graziano was one of the highlights of the series, as was her refusal to let eventual winner Stephen Bear get away with his snakey behaviour. Viewers didn't know her before she came into the house, but they sure did by the time she left.

8. Austin Armacost

Photo credit: Channel 5
Photo credit: Channel 5

Formerly known as the ex-boyfriend of designer Marc Jacobs, Austin's good looks and willingness to show off his physique helped to to earn him a big following (funnily enough).

But it was his bromance with Apprentice hunk James Hill that became the talking point of the series. The pair became incredibly close, shared a bed basically every night and their antics sent the show's fans wild. Better yet, they've maintained a friendship since leaving the house too.

So cute.

9. George Galloway

Photo credit: Channel 4
Photo credit: Channel 4

The politician was a member of little known party Respect when he entered the house. He was a sitting MP, but unless you followed politics, you'd be forgiven for not having known who he was.

No-one expected him to be entertaining, but George threw himself into every task and, in one often re-played incident, pretended to be Rula Lenska's cat – an oddball act which all but ended his career as a politician.

We still get shivers down our backs picturing him pretending to lick milk from a bowl as Rula stroked his hair. He may not have remained in the house till the end, but he certainly left a lasting impression on CBB history. And our nightmares.


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