Galloway is shock Big Brother housemate

By Thomas Crosbie

Celebrity Big Brother kicked off tonight with the surprise appearance of controversial politician George Galloway.

The Respect MP for Bethnal Green was an unexpected inclusion in the 11-strong cast for the hit show.

He sauntered along the red carpet to a chorus of boos from the crowd, before pausing to make a victory sign and shout “Stop the war!”.

Once inside the house he introduced himself to the others, accompanying each handshake with the words: “I’m a Member of Parliament”.

Galloway’s presence was the second major twist to emerge during the evening.

An unknown member of the public, 22-year-old Chantelle from Essex, has been planted in the house with the mission of convincing the real celebrities that she is famous.

The blonde model promoter has been briefed to pretend she is in a girl band called Kandyfloss.

Initially she seemed to be having a degree of success, possibly because her fellow “stars” did not recognise each other either.

Apart from Galloway and Chantelle, they include ex-pat entertainer Michael Barrymore, basketball player Dennis Rodman, Baywatch star Traci Bingham, glamour girl Jodi Marsh, actress Rula Lenska, eighties pop star Pete Burns and rock musicians Maggot and Samuel Preston.

Maggot’s band Goldie Lookin’ Chain have enjoyed a few hits in the UK, while Preston’s group The Ordinary Boys boast a number one in Japan.

If Chantelle manages to convince the others that she is a pop star she will win the right to stay on the show. If she fails, she will be evicted on Sunday.

The Channel 4 show – won last year by Happy Mondays dancer Bez – is due to run for a total of 23 days this year and producers promise it will be more “evil” than ever before.

This time around the house is equipped with single beds, a gym and outdoor pool.

Bookmakers William Hill have installed Marsh as favourite to win at 4-1, and said they had not yet taken a single bet on Barrymore despite odds being offered for three days.

Galloway is a 14-1 outsider to come out on top.

© Thomas Crosbie Media, 2006.