Former Member of Parliament Sir Michael Fabricant is facing a challenging start on the revived *Celebrity Big Brother*, enduring a frosty reception from viewers and currently holding the position of favorite to be eliminated early.
The 74-year-old, who previously represented Staffordshire as a Conservative MP for over three decades before losing his seat last year, made his debut on Monday’s premiere episode. As he was interviewed by presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best, Fabricant was met with audible booing from the live audience – a stark contrast to the enthusiasm shown for other contestants.
According to early betting odds from BetMGM, Chris Hughes, formerly of *Love Island* and now an ITV horse racing presenter, is the frontrunner to win the competition at 3/1. Danny Beard, a drag performer and singer, and Jack P. Shepherd, known for his role on *Coronation Street*, are also strong contenders at 5/1. Other participants with favorable odds include EastEnders icon Patsy Palmer (7/1) and singer Chesney Hawkes (9/1). Fabricant trails significantly behind, listed as the outsider at a distant 33/1.
“Chris Hughes proved incredibly popular on *Love Island*, so it’s no surprise he’s considered a strong contender for *Celebrity Big Brother*,” stated a BetMGM spokesperson. “While Hughes leads our early betting at 3/1, several other celebrities are also looking promising, with Danny Beard and Jack P. Shepherd both at 5/1, and Patsy Palmer having considerable support from her *EastEnders* fanbase at 7/1.”
The full lineup of fifteen contestants includes: Chesney Hawkes, JoJo Siwa, Trisha Goddard, Chris Hughes, Patsy Palmer, Sir Michael Fabricant, Jack P. Shepherd, Ella Wise, Daley Thompson, Donna Preston, Angellica Bell, Danny Beard and Mickey Rourke.
Rourke’s introduction proved particularly memorable—and unsettling—for many viewers. The 72-year-old actor, appearing in a cowboy outfit and red leather jacket, exhibited what some described as confusion and discomfort. He reportedly told the presenters he “had nothing to do with tonight,” and Odudu had to politely instruct him to stop looking at her after his prolonged gaze and compliments.
The situation escalated when Rourke needed assistance from the hosts to navigate the stage for his entry into the house, prompting considerable concern and discussion online.
As one viewer noted on X: “AJ dealt with Mickey’s situation really well! #cbb #cbbuk.” Another wrote, “Omg is it me or [does] Mickey Rourke have absolutely no idea where he is and what he’s doing or what he has let himself in for #CBBUK #CBB?” A third commented, “AJ handled that really well. Well done to her. She didn’t make herself look uncomfortable.”
