Channel 5
After one of the most exhausting months of reality television, the day is finally almost here and on Friday, we'll crown our latest ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ winner.
14 housemates entered, two were chucked out, one walked, and a new one replaced them - and after a string of dramatic evictions we’re now left with just five celebrities battling it out for the ‘CBB’ crown.
Calum Best, Katie Hopkins, Katie Price, Keith Chegwin and Michelle Visage will all be leaving the house during Friday night’s live final, after 30 days of being tucked away in the Borehamwood bungalow without any contact with the outside world - but only one of them will be leaving with the title of champion.
'CBB': Who Should Win?
Calum Best(01 of05)
For: When we look back on this January’s series of ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ in the reality TV history books, we’ll remember it for its almost-perpetual arguments. Throughout it all, though, Calum has tried to act as a peace-keeper, never getting involved in petty squabbles but standing up for himself when challenged.
Plus, the sight of his tattooed torso in the ‘CBB’ bedroom hasn’t exactly been an unpleasant viewing experience either.
Against: Calum has managed to avoid arguments, but that also means that a lot of the time he’s missed out on the action completely.
Particularly at the beginning of the show’s run, it wasn’t difficult to overlook him completely, so it might be unfair for someone who hasn’t pulled their weight in the show’s narrative to walk away as the winner. (credit:Channel 5)
Plus, the sight of his tattooed torso in the ‘CBB’ bedroom hasn’t exactly been an unpleasant viewing experience either.
Against: Calum has managed to avoid arguments, but that also means that a lot of the time he’s missed out on the action completely.
Particularly at the beginning of the show’s run, it wasn’t difficult to overlook him completely, so it might be unfair for someone who hasn’t pulled their weight in the show’s narrative to walk away as the winner. (credit:Channel 5)
Katie Hopkins(02 of05)
For: From the offset, Katie Hopkins has been at the forefront of almost every major storyline, and - for all her faults - has been an incredibly entertaining housemate. We’ve also found her surprisingly funny, while her friendship with Michelle Visage has been a welcome break from the constant disputes and backstabbing.
Perez Hilton might have spent a month singing ‘It’s The Perez Show’ - a jaunty tune we’ve had stuck in our heads the whole time - but the house would have been a far less interesting place without Katie Hopkins.
Against: Despite it all, she’s still Katie Hopkins. And for that reason alone, we just can not allow her to win. Unacceptable. (credit:Channel 5)
Perez Hilton might have spent a month singing ‘It’s The Perez Show’ - a jaunty tune we’ve had stuck in our heads the whole time - but the house would have been a far less interesting place without Katie Hopkins.
Against: Despite it all, she’s still Katie Hopkins. And for that reason alone, we just can not allow her to win. Unacceptable. (credit:Channel 5)
Katie Price(03 of05)
For: Katie Price isn’t exactly known for holding back, and she’s been as candid as ever in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house. As soon as she got down those stairs dressed as a fairy (we’re still not entirely sure what the relevance of that was, but she looked nice) she was her usual straight-to-the-point self, filling everyone in on her then-healing boob job.
Since then she’s had our jaws on the floor with her no-nonsense approach to chatting about sex, while also proving she has a heart.
Against: That said, Pricey’s appearance on ‘CBB’ comes after years and years of speculation (not to mention a rumoured £500,000) and it’s true to say she just didn’t live up to the hype.
We were hoping for ferocious, straight-talking Katie and - apart from a 6/10 barney with Katie Hopkins - and instead what we got was something of a damp squib. In fact, if it weren’t for her graphically-detailed sex stories, we’d probably have forgotten she was even there.
(credit:Channel 5)
Since then she’s had our jaws on the floor with her no-nonsense approach to chatting about sex, while also proving she has a heart.
Against: That said, Pricey’s appearance on ‘CBB’ comes after years and years of speculation (not to mention a rumoured £500,000) and it’s true to say she just didn’t live up to the hype.
We were hoping for ferocious, straight-talking Katie and - apart from a 6/10 barney with Katie Hopkins - and instead what we got was something of a damp squib. In fact, if it weren’t for her graphically-detailed sex stories, we’d probably have forgotten she was even there.
(credit:Channel 5)
Keith Chegwin(04 of05)
For: Oh, Cheggers. Of all of this year’s contestants he certainly seems to be the least interested in playing the game, and has the smallest ego. Despite doing his best to keep morale high (and the toilets clean), Keith has been put through the ringer by his housemates, with Kavana and Katie Hopkins both laying into him on several occasions, and we’ve seen him being quite vulnerable and affected by it all in the diary room.
Surely after coming through all that he’s a worthy winner?
Against: Well, he may have been at the brunt of several verbal attacks from the group, but we can’t help but feel like they had a point about his fence-sitting.
Keith’s attempts to keep everyone happy might have been sincere, but to many they’ve come across as a way of getting all the housemates to like him and keep him in the show longer. (credit:Channel 5)
Surely after coming through all that he’s a worthy winner?
Against: Well, he may have been at the brunt of several verbal attacks from the group, but we can’t help but feel like they had a point about his fence-sitting.
Keith’s attempts to keep everyone happy might have been sincere, but to many they’ve come across as a way of getting all the housemates to like him and keep him in the show longer. (credit:Channel 5)
Michelle Visage(05 of05)
For: Imagine trying to calm Perez Hilton down, only for him to turn around and - completely out of the blue - tell you that you aren’t allowed to represent the LGBT community, because he says so? Imagine chatting to Calum Best quietly, only for Ken Morley to burst into the room and ask if you were going to “violently f***”?
Michelle’s put up with all of that in the past month of ‘CBB’, and not let it affect her cool one bit. In a house of non-stop drama, Michelle has remained level-headed, true-to-herself and flawless throughout. If those aren’t the traits of a champion, then what are?
Against: Considering she hangs around with the likes of RuPaul, Leah Remini and Alan Carr, you’d think Michelle would choose a companion a bit more wisely than attaching herself to Katie Hopkins, wouldn’t you? (credit:Channel 5)
Michelle’s put up with all of that in the past month of ‘CBB’, and not let it affect her cool one bit. In a house of non-stop drama, Michelle has remained level-headed, true-to-herself and flawless throughout. If those aren’t the traits of a champion, then what are?
Against: Considering she hangs around with the likes of RuPaul, Leah Remini and Alan Carr, you’d think Michelle would choose a companion a bit more wisely than attaching herself to Katie Hopkins, wouldn’t you? (credit:Channel 5)
We’ve had our say, but who would you most like to be named winner of this year’s ‘Celebrity Big Brother’..?
Don’t miss Friday night’s live ‘CBB’ final, kicking off at 9pm on Channel 5.
'Celebrity Big Brother' Winners
Jack Dee(01 of17)
Jack Dee won the first ever series of 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2001. His experience lasted a total of just eight days, but even that was clearly too much for the comedian, who memorably tried to tunnel his way out of the house.
Mark Owen(02 of17)
In one of the most overlooked series of 'CBB', Take That singer triumphed over Melinda Messenger and Les Dennis to be crowned the winner, after a total of ten days in the house back in 2003. (credit:Andy Butterton/PA Archive)
Bez(03 of17)
Series three was when 'Celebrity Big Brother' really came into its own, thanks to housemates like John McCririck, Jackie Stallone and Bez. This series in 2005 lasted 18 days. (credit:Bruno Vincent via Getty Images)
Chantelle Houghton(04 of17)
In a twist for series four, Chantelle became the first non-celebrity to enter the 'CBB' house, eventually emerging as the winner after 23 days in 2006, making this the first series to last for over three weeks. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Shilpa Shetty(05 of17)
One of the most shocking and controversial series of 'Big Brother' or 'Celebrity Big Brother' ever ended with Shilpa Shetty voted the winner by the British public in 2007.Shilpa had a difficult time in the house, after failing to get along with housemates Danielle Lloyd, Jo O'Meara and Jade Goody, who some viewers felt were unfairly ganging up on the Bollywood star.The series lasted 26 days, which was then the longest 'CBB' ever. Following the worldwide controversy provoked by the series, 'CBB' took a year out the next year. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Ulrika Jonsson(06 of17)
Although 'Austin Powers' actor Verne Troyer had been named the favourite to win throughout the series, Ulrika was crowned the winner after 22 days in the house back in 2009.She later returned to the house for 'Ultimate Big Brother'. (credit:Zak Hussein/PA Archive)
Alex Reid(07 of17)
Beating his then-girlfriend Katie Price's ex Dane Bowers to the title of 'CBB' winner in 2010, Alex was triumphant in the last series of 'Celebrity Big Brother' to air on Channel 4.He later had a baby with fellow winner Chantelle Houghton, following his split from Katie. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Paddy Doherty(08 of17)
Channel 5's first roll of the 'Celebrity Big Brother' dice in August 2011 saw 'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' star Paddy Doherty voted the public's favourite over Kerry Katona and Jedward (what an honour). (credit:Nat Jag via Getty Images)
Denise Welch(09 of17)
Denise's time in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house back in January 2012 wasn't an easy one, largely thanks to her arguments with Nicola McLean, Karissa and Kristina Shannon and Michael Masden. She also famously enjoyed some near-naked time in the 'CBB' hot-tub with 'X Factor' contestant Frankie Cocozza, which drew criticism from some viewers... not to mention her housemates. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Julian Clary(10 of17)
In the summer of 2012, Julian won over viewers with his quick wit, pleasant demeanour... and the fact he managed to stay out of trouble, something his fellow 'CBB' housemates could have done with learning how to do themselves. (credit:Ben Pruchnie via Getty Images)
Rylan Clark(11 of17)
Rylan's stint in the 'CBB' house came in January 2013, almost immediately after he left 'The X Factor'. He became so popular with the public following his appearance on the show that he was later offered a job hosting spin-off series, 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Charlotte Crosby(12 of17)
She arrived. She punched a cake. She wet the bed. And she won in summer 2013. Well done, British public. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Jim Davidson(13 of17)
And speaking of "well done, British public", somehow controversial comic Jim Davidson managed to turn around his public image, and beat Dappy, Luisa Zissman and Ollie Locke in the 'CBB' final in January 2014. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Gary Busey(14 of17)
Gary was the first ever American winner of 'CBB' in the summer of 2014, much to the chagrin of his housemates. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Katie Price(15 of17)
Katie Price entered the house after the first batch of housemates in January 2015, and went on to nab the 'CBB' crown. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
James Hill(16 of17)
Proving there's something to be said for keeping your cool, James won it for Great Britain during 2015's 'UK vs USA' showdown. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Scotty T(17 of17)
Proving 'CBB' viewers really do love people from Newcastle, Scotty T became the second 'Geordie Shore' star to win the show in January 2016. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)