‘Celebrity Big Brother’: Rachel Johnson Is First Housemate Confirmed For New Series

The Johnson clan are fast becoming the new Kardashians.

Rachel Johnson has been confirmed as the first housemate to enter the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house when the show returns in January.

The journalist - and sister of Foreign Secretary Boris - will join an all-female house when the new series kicks off on 2 January on Channel 5.

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Rachel Johnson
EMPICS Entertainment

It’s the second relative of Boris to feature in a reality series in the last few months after his father, Stanley Johnson, took part in this year’s ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’.

Rachel confirmed the news in her column in the Daily Mail, writing: “I’m going into the actual Big Brother House. For real. I know. Believe me, I know.

“I am a firm believer that you only regret the things in life you don’t do, not the things you do do.”

Earlier this year, it was announced that the new series of ‘CBB’ would feature only women to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of women being given the vote.

As ever, Channel 5 is keeping its cards pretty close to its chest when it comes to who’ll be heading into the Borehamwood bungalow this time around, but that hasn’t stopped speculation mounting among ‘CBB’ fans.

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Channel 5

Among the list of rumoured contestants are women from all walks of life, including the usual mix of reality stars and tabloid staples interspersed with women who’ve dominated areas like business, politics and journalism.

But it’s not all about the women - as Channel 5 has confirmed that after a couple of days, a ‘Full House’ live show will see men arriving to shake things up, in what has been billed an experiment to “challenge gender stereotypes and reveal fascinating truths about what it is to be a woman - and man - in the 21st century”.

'Celebrity Big Brother' 2018 - All the rumours so far...
Amanda Barrie(01 of21)
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Who is she?
Best known as Alma in 'Coronation Street', Amanda also later starred in 'Bad Girls', opposite former 'CBB' housemate Stephanie Beacham.

What's the rumour?
The Sun has reported that Amanda was chosen by producers to take part because they specifically wanted housemates who'd lived "long" and "full" lives to share their experiences with the rest of the contestants.
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India Willoughby(02 of21)
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Who is she?
The newsreader who made history when she was the first trans woman to ever sit on the 'Loose Women' panel.

What's the rumour?
India was among the first to be named as a potential housemate, with The Sun claiming she was "in talks" with Channel 5 about a spot in the all-female house.

According to their insider, bosses were keen to get her to sign up due to her "outspoken" nature, which they hope will fuel debates in the house.
(credit:Leon Neal via Getty Images)
Malika Haqq(03 of21)
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Who is she?
She is probably best known for being Khloe Kardashian's best friend and featuring on her family's reality show, 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'.

What's the rumour?
Malika was rumoured to be entering the house last year but never appeared in the official line-up, but she was spotted arriving at Heathrow just days before the series launch - usually a tale tale sign.
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Ann Widdecombe(04 of21)
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Who is she?
Former Conservative MP, who also made a memorable appearance on 'Strictly Come Dancing' in 2010.

What's the rumour?
Ann is one of the more surprising names said to be entering the house this year, with The Mirror reporting she was spotted at a hotel near the show's studios on the day of launch.
(credit:Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images)
Jess Impiazzi(05 of21)
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Who is she?
Model and reality star who previously appeared on 'Ex On The Beach'.

What's the rumour?
Jess's name came into the mix when The Sun published their 'leaked' line-up, and given the number of 'Ex On The Beach' stars who've done 'CBB' before, we wouldn't be surprised to see her.
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Ashley James(06 of21)
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Who is she?
Former 'Made In Chelsea' star.

What's the rumour?
Much like Jess, Ashley was on the leaked line-up but her name had cropped up a few times previously.
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Paisley Billings(07 of21)
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Who is she?
Best known as the receptionist in 'Tattoo Fixers', Paisley was later seen looking for love on 'Celebs Go Dating'.

What's the rumour?
Channel 5 began teasing this year's housemates in December by showing close-ups of their eyes.

Many pointed out that the first shot looked a lot like Paisley, and when questioned by a fan on Twitter, she replied simply with an eye emoji.
(credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Laura Simpson(08 of21)
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Who is she?
She inadvertently made headlines when she was snapped sharing a car with Wayne Rooney following a night out.

What's the rumour?
According to The Sun, the jury's still out on whether Laura will be taking part in the series, as she's reportedly holding out for money.

A source told the newspaper that while she was tempted by producers' initial offer of £55,000, she's hoping she can get them up to £75K.
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Michelle Mone(09 of21)
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Who is she?
The businesswoman behind the underwear company, Ultimo.

What's the rumour?
As reports claimed that bosses were eyeing "a classier set of celebrities" than 'CBB' fans might be used to, The Sun claimed that Baroness Michelle Mone was on bosses' wishlist.

An insider claimed she was being offered as much as £350,000 to take part, one of the highest fees in the show's history.
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Sandra Martin(10 of21)
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Who is she?
Former 'Gogglebox' star and right-hand woman to former 'Celebrity Big Brother' star Sandi Bogle.

What's the rumour?
Following her sidekick Sandi's stint in the 'CBB' house in summer 2017, The Sun claimed that Sandra was keen to follow in her footsteps.

Back in August, after quitting 'Gogglebox', Sandra teased that she had a "big TV show" but claimed she couldn't share any more than that.
(credit:Eamonn M. McCormack via Getty Images)
Rachel Johnson(11 of21)
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Who is she?
A journalist, but you're probably more familiar with her brother, Boris Johnson.

What's the rumour?
It is not so much as a rumour as confirmed, as Channel 5 officially announced her as a housmate last month.

She might seem like an unlikely contestant, but her dad Stanley Johnson recently made a splash in the 'I'm A Celebrity' jungle.
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Holly Hagan(12 of21)
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Who is she?
One of the original 'Geordie Shore' cast members who recently stepped down from the show.

What's the rumour?
Holly has actually tried to get on 'CBB' twice before, but The Sun is reporting that it could be third time lucky for the outrageous reality star.
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Elizabeth McKenna(13 of21)
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Who is she?
The scene-stealer from the 2017 run of 'The Apprentice'.

What's the rumour?
Elizabeth herself has expressed interest in taking part in 'CBB', and given Channel 5's tendency to whack the most talked-about contestants from whichever is the most recent series of 'The Apprentice' into the house (James Hill, Jessica Cunningham and Karthik Nagesan all springing to mind), we reckon Elizabeth is a safe bet.
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Louise Thompson(14 of21)
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Who is she?
'Made In Chelsea' star and new-found fitness expert.

What's the rumour?
Like Paisley Billings, many named Louise as a potential housemate after seemingly recognising her eye during the teasers for the January 2018 series.

Her brother and 'MIC' co-star Sam Thompson entered the house in summer 2017, where he made headlines thanks to his flirtatious relationship with pop singer Amelia Lily.
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Shobna Gulati(15 of21)
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Who is she?
TV star best known for her roles in 'Dinnerladies', 'Coronation Street' and a brief stint as a 'Loose Women' presenter.

What's the rumour?
The Mirror claimed over the summer that Shobna was going to be heading into the house, but when the second of 2017's series aired, she was not present on the line-up.

Her name cropped up again when rumours began circulating, though she was quick to pour water on them on Twitter, insisting she was "not going into BIG BROTHER HOUSE".

But then, she would say that, wouldn't she..?
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Charlotte Leslie MP(16 of21)
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Who is she?
A former Tory MP, who represented Bristol North West for seven years.

What's the rumour?
With bosses eyeing more high-brow housemates this time around, The Sun claimed that Charlotte was being offered a six-figure sum to sign up for 'CBB'.

However, she dismissed the rumours on Twitter, insisting that "no six-figure sum could tempt [her]".
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Jonny Mitchell(17 of21)
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Who is he?
The biggest heartbreaker from 2017's series of 'Love Island'.

What's the rumour?
In December, The Sun named Jonny as the first "confirmed" male housemate of the new 'CBB', joining the women once they get settled.

Apparently bosses were keen to sign him up following his split from Stephanie Pratt, with The Sun claiming he is "guaranteed to bring some drama".
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Ginuwine(18 of21)
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Who is he?
R&B singer, as known for having nine children as he is for his musical contribution.

What's the rumour?
A noted charmer, The Sun claimed that producers hoped to sign him up in the hope that he could woo one of the women in the house.
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Rodrigo Alves(19 of21)
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Who is he?
The plastic surgery lover dubbed the "human Ken doll" in the media.

What's the rumour?
Rodrigo was forced to pull out of last summer's series for health reasons, but having now recovered, he's free to join the show in January 2018.
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Pete Wicks(20 of21)
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Who is he?
'TOWIE' cast member who hit headlines thanks to his fiery relationship with Megan McKenna.

What's the rumour?
Pete has been rumoured for 'Celebrity Big Brother' numerous times, with Digital Spy naming him as a potential late addition when men start arriving in the house.
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Scott Disick(21 of21)
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Who is he?
Star of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians', best known for his tumultuous party lifestyle and on-off relationship with Kourtney.

What's the rumour?
Unsurprisingly, The Sun's rumour claims that Scott was approached for the show, but turned it down when bosses refused to fly him and girlfriend Sofia Richie to the UK in a private yet.
(credit:Alexander Tamargo via Getty Images)