Channel 5 has commissioned Celebs on Benefits: Claim to Fame, a show following stars who have found themselves relying on state support.
The likes of Bruce Jones and Lisa Appleton will appear in the one-off, hour-long programme made by ITN Productions, looking at celebrities who have had success before hitting hard times, reports Broadcast.
Bruce Jones played taxi driver Les Battersby in Coronation Street for ten years before a drink problem, divorce and growing debt forced him to rely on benefits. He later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
Also appearing is Lisa Appleton, of 2008 Big Brother fame, who married fellow reality housemate Mario Marconi.
She describes how she went from experiencing the celebrity that comes with a Bb appearance, to living in a flat she calls a "stinking, rat-infested hole".
The show will also feature non-celebrities who had promising careers ahead of them before losing everything and relying on benefits.
Celebs...
The likes of Bruce Jones and Lisa Appleton will appear in the one-off, hour-long programme made by ITN Productions, looking at celebrities who have had success before hitting hard times, reports Broadcast.
Bruce Jones played taxi driver Les Battersby in Coronation Street for ten years before a drink problem, divorce and growing debt forced him to rely on benefits. He later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
Also appearing is Lisa Appleton, of 2008 Big Brother fame, who married fellow reality housemate Mario Marconi.
She describes how she went from experiencing the celebrity that comes with a Bb appearance, to living in a flat she calls a "stinking, rat-infested hole".
The show will also feature non-celebrities who had promising careers ahead of them before losing everything and relying on benefits.
Celebs...
- 6/19/2015
- Digital Spy
Former Big Brother stars Mario Marconi and Lisa Appleton have split.
The couple, who got engaged in the Bb house during the show's ninth series in 2008, ended their marriage after having their lives "destroyed" by a conman who spent six months filming them for a non-existent reality show.
© WENN
© WENN
"Towards the end we just hated each other," Appleton told The Sun. "[The con] tore our lives apart and destroyed our relationship.
"Mario and I were unhappy for a while - our whole world fell apart around us when we got conned."
Despite only separating three weeks ago, Appleton has already moved on with theatre producer Rob Ellis, while Marconi is apparently "shacked up with a 22-year-old blonde bimbo".
"Mario's got quite a few girls after him," Appleton claimed. "I don't care what he does now."
Marconi and Appleton were evicted in the fifth and twelfth weeks of Big Brother respectively, with...
The couple, who got engaged in the Bb house during the show's ninth series in 2008, ended their marriage after having their lives "destroyed" by a conman who spent six months filming them for a non-existent reality show.
© WENN
© WENN
"Towards the end we just hated each other," Appleton told The Sun. "[The con] tore our lives apart and destroyed our relationship.
"Mario and I were unhappy for a while - our whole world fell apart around us when we got conned."
Despite only separating three weeks ago, Appleton has already moved on with theatre producer Rob Ellis, while Marconi is apparently "shacked up with a 22-year-old blonde bimbo".
"Mario's got quite a few girls after him," Appleton claimed. "I don't care what he does now."
Marconi and Appleton were evicted in the fifth and twelfth weeks of Big Brother respectively, with...
- 2/5/2013
- Digital Spy
Former Big Brother stars and various celebrities have united for a charity football match to be played later this month. Organised by Big Brother 11's Steve Gill, the event will raise money for the Wise Foundation. It is being held at Potters Bar Town Football Club on Sunday, November 14. Ex-housemates expected to take part include Sam Pepper, Mario Mugan, Mario Marconi, Nick Bateman, Dave Vaughn, (more)...
- 11/2/2010
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
For today’s task the dance act stars Flawless will enter the House to help Housemates transform into the dance group Flawed and create their own synchronized dance routine.
Flawless will ask each Housemate to audition in the Large Task Room for the role of Lead Dancer. Flawless will then host a master class in the Large Task Room and a rehearsal session in the Living Room. To pass the task, Housemates must choreograph, practise and perform a dazzling routine with the help of Flawless.
Later in the evening Flawed will perform their routine in the Large Task Room where Flawless will then decide if Housemates have done enough to pass the task.
If Housemates pass, they receive a pampering hamper to help ease the muscles and get them looking flawless. Later in the evening Big Brother will play the premier of the Flawed routine in the Living Room.
Related...
Flawless will ask each Housemate to audition in the Large Task Room for the role of Lead Dancer. Flawless will then host a master class in the Large Task Room and a rehearsal session in the Living Room. To pass the task, Housemates must choreograph, practise and perform a dazzling routine with the help of Flawless.
Later in the evening Flawed will perform their routine in the Large Task Room where Flawless will then decide if Housemates have done enough to pass the task.
If Housemates pass, they receive a pampering hamper to help ease the muscles and get them looking flawless. Later in the evening Big Brother will play the premier of the Flawed routine in the Living Room.
Related...
- 9/7/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
After a week of nostalgia and reminiscing Big Brother has yet another big surprise for our Ultimate Big Brother contestants. Tonight, during the Friday night eviction show’s, one new housemate will enter the house, joining our remaining housemates in fighting it out to be crowned the champion of champions in next week’s Ultimate Big Brother Final.
Chantelle, Makosi, Nadia, Nick, Nikki and Ulrika all face the boot tonight in a double eviction. Not only will tonight’s mammoth show feature the eviction interviews and new housemate but there’ll also be a very special performance from Michelle.
As part of this week’s shopping task, Housemates have been reliving significant moments from the past ten years of Big Brother. The task has been taking place over the past three days and will culminate in a live performance of Pie Jesu by Michelle on the show in front of tonight’s eviction crowd.
Chantelle, Makosi, Nadia, Nick, Nikki and Ulrika all face the boot tonight in a double eviction. Not only will tonight’s mammoth show feature the eviction interviews and new housemate but there’ll also be a very special performance from Michelle.
As part of this week’s shopping task, Housemates have been reliving significant moments from the past ten years of Big Brother. The task has been taking place over the past three days and will culminate in a live performance of Pie Jesu by Michelle on the show in front of tonight’s eviction crowd.
- 9/3/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
For this week’s shopping task, Housemates have been reliving significant moments from the past ten years of Big Brother. This will take place over three days, culminating in a live performance of Pie Jesu by Michelle on the live show in front of Friday night’s eviction crowd.
Below are the tasks that occurred yesterday and the results so far.
Makosi
Despite Makosi’s deliberate attempt to make herself unpopular, the Housemates successfully ignored her and therefore successfully completed this part of her task. Makosi’s unlucky spell continues today.
Preston
Preston successfully ate 48 liquor chocolates without being sick.
Ulrika & Nick
Ulrika and Nick have performed their version of “Endless Love” which has been uploaded onto the Big Brother website. They must get more than 81,483 hits to beat Ulrika and Verne Troyer’s performance of the same song from Celebrity Big Brother 6. The deadline will close for this later this evening.
Below are the tasks that occurred yesterday and the results so far.
Makosi
Despite Makosi’s deliberate attempt to make herself unpopular, the Housemates successfully ignored her and therefore successfully completed this part of her task. Makosi’s unlucky spell continues today.
Preston
Preston successfully ate 48 liquor chocolates without being sick.
Ulrika & Nick
Ulrika and Nick have performed their version of “Endless Love” which has been uploaded onto the Big Brother website. They must get more than 81,483 hits to beat Ulrika and Verne Troyer’s performance of the same song from Celebrity Big Brother 6. The deadline will close for this later this evening.
- 9/2/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Former Big Brother housemate Mario Marconi, has claimed that Celebrity Bb winner Alex Reid will be re-entering the house today.
Reid has previously admitted that he was asked to compete in Ultimate Big Brother, but was forced to turn the offer down due to his hectic training schedule.
Writing on Twitter today, Mario revealed that Alex has found a way to be part of the reality TV show and even claimed that his wife, Katie Price, will show her face too.
He wrote:
Alex Reid to enter Ultimate Big Brother today. And the word is Katie Price will soon follow !
We just hope we get some advance warning of Katie’s appearance, so that we can tune out. The newspapers have been very sparse on their Katie Price coverage this summer and we are enjoying the break!
Related posts:Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Katie Price bans...
Reid has previously admitted that he was asked to compete in Ultimate Big Brother, but was forced to turn the offer down due to his hectic training schedule.
Writing on Twitter today, Mario revealed that Alex has found a way to be part of the reality TV show and even claimed that his wife, Katie Price, will show her face too.
He wrote:
Alex Reid to enter Ultimate Big Brother today. And the word is Katie Price will soon follow !
We just hope we get some advance warning of Katie’s appearance, so that we can tune out. The newspapers have been very sparse on their Katie Price coverage this summer and we are enjoying the break!
Related posts:Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Katie Price bans...
- 8/27/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Mario Mugan’s Grandad entered the Big Brother house today, as part of the group’s latest shopping task.
In this week’s challenge, housemates must fight all their natural instincts and Ignore the Obvious. For the next three days Big Brother will be sending in a number of distractions to try and get the attention of our housemates.
But in order to pass, the housemates must not react in anyway. Reactions include anything from pointing, laughing, gasping, gawping, flinching, closing eyes, smirking and running away.
So far, as well as sending in a full brass band and a stripping postman, Ben’s friend Dave entered disguised as a toliet attendant. Ben just sauntered past him and didn’t even leave a tip!
Next Big Brother dressed Mario Mugan’s Grandad up as Santa and sent him in to greet the housemates. Looks like Mario managed to hide his reaction well!
In this week’s challenge, housemates must fight all their natural instincts and Ignore the Obvious. For the next three days Big Brother will be sending in a number of distractions to try and get the attention of our housemates.
But in order to pass, the housemates must not react in anyway. Reactions include anything from pointing, laughing, gasping, gawping, flinching, closing eyes, smirking and running away.
So far, as well as sending in a full brass band and a stripping postman, Ben’s friend Dave entered disguised as a toliet attendant. Ben just sauntered past him and didn’t even leave a tip!
Next Big Brother dressed Mario Mugan’s Grandad up as Santa and sent him in to greet the housemates. Looks like Mario managed to hide his reaction well!
- 7/28/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Yesterday, we told you about the housemates’ surprise on finding a robot behind glass in the bathroom, but today, Channel 4 have announced that the robot’s going into the house!
Named Titan, Channel 4 have released footage of him in action, and I have to say, he’s scary!
Click here to see the clip of Titan first speaking in Marcus Bentley’s Geordie tones, then reverting to an Arnie-esque mode of speech…
Let us know what you think of Titan!
I’m still creeped out by him!!
Related posts:Big Brother 2010: The House is now under Titan’s control!Big Brother 2010: Titan is in the House!Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Ross Noakes Next Male To Enter Big brother House?Celebrity Big Brother 2007: Jade Goody And Jack Tweedy Will Enter The House Tonight!Copyright © Unreality TV 2009 | Celebrity Big Brother Updates
This feed is for personal,...
Named Titan, Channel 4 have released footage of him in action, and I have to say, he’s scary!
Click here to see the clip of Titan first speaking in Marcus Bentley’s Geordie tones, then reverting to an Arnie-esque mode of speech…
Let us know what you think of Titan!
I’m still creeped out by him!!
Related posts:Big Brother 2010: The House is now under Titan’s control!Big Brother 2010: Titan is in the House!Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Ross Noakes Next Male To Enter Big brother House?Celebrity Big Brother 2007: Jade Goody And Jack Tweedy Will Enter The House Tonight!Copyright © Unreality TV 2009 | Celebrity Big Brother Updates
This feed is for personal,...
- 7/7/2010
- by Sarah
- Unreality
Big Brother housemate Mario Mugan completed his first task as house mole last night.
The 28 year old Essex man was chosen as the 14th housemate last night, but in return for his place on the show, he has to complete the impossible task. Dressed as a mole, wearing a sign saying ‘I am a mole’ and sleeping in a mole hole, Mario has to stop his fellow housemates from guessing that he actually is……you’ve got it…. A mole!
The first part of his task commenced last night when the Tree Of Temptation (now a chest of drawers), gave him a ball and a marker to take to his mole hole. Once he smuggled it past the housemates, Mario was told to write something incriminating on the ball then leave it in the garden as if someone had thrown it over the wall. At 4.13am, once his fellow housemates had retired,...
The 28 year old Essex man was chosen as the 14th housemate last night, but in return for his place on the show, he has to complete the impossible task. Dressed as a mole, wearing a sign saying ‘I am a mole’ and sleeping in a mole hole, Mario has to stop his fellow housemates from guessing that he actually is……you’ve got it…. A mole!
The first part of his task commenced last night when the Tree Of Temptation (now a chest of drawers), gave him a ball and a marker to take to his mole hole. Once he smuggled it past the housemates, Mario was told to write something incriminating on the ball then leave it in the garden as if someone had thrown it over the wall. At 4.13am, once his fellow housemates had retired,...
- 6/10/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Look through Mario Mugan’s Big Brother profile and you’d be forgiven for thinking that he’s just a normal lad, Big Brother superfan and all round pretty sound guy.
He touts himself as being unemployed and the proud owner of the Big Brother 7 diary room chair. What he didn’t mention is that he is a complete and utter wannabe and has previously appeared on ‘The Sunday Night Project’ and ‘The Real Hustle.’
On his StarNow ad Mario wrote:
Passionate, sexy, cheeky Italian dedicated to my craft. Love Acting, Modeling and having fun. I think it’s about time the men gave the women a run for their money in the supermodel stakes. Move over Kate and Naomi, the time of the male supermodel has dawned
He added:
Previous Modeling experience, highly photogenic and receptive to direction. Imaginative with poses and can switch to edgy editorial to commercial per shot.
He touts himself as being unemployed and the proud owner of the Big Brother 7 diary room chair. What he didn’t mention is that he is a complete and utter wannabe and has previously appeared on ‘The Sunday Night Project’ and ‘The Real Hustle.’
On his StarNow ad Mario wrote:
Passionate, sexy, cheeky Italian dedicated to my craft. Love Acting, Modeling and having fun. I think it’s about time the men gave the women a run for their money in the supermodel stakes. Move over Kate and Naomi, the time of the male supermodel has dawned
He added:
Previous Modeling experience, highly photogenic and receptive to direction. Imaginative with poses and can switch to edgy editorial to commercial per shot.
- 6/9/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
After the 13 hand picked housemates entered the Big Brother house tonight, Davina McCall revealed the first of many twists.
There was to be a 14th housemate and their name was to be chosen from a tombola spinner. After building up the appropriate amount of suspense, Davina chose a name and the lucky man was Bb superfan Mario Mugan. Coincidence?
On hearing his fate Mario exclaimed:
“I thought that was it, ti was done…I was preparing my tears. Yes!!”
However it wasn’t to be that easy. Mario was played a specially recorded video message from Big Brother telling him that he was to be assigned an impossible task, which he has little to no chance of completing.
Mario is now a mole. He is dressed as a mole, he must sleep in a mole hole but must not let the housemates know that he is a mole…..Wtf? If...
There was to be a 14th housemate and their name was to be chosen from a tombola spinner. After building up the appropriate amount of suspense, Davina chose a name and the lucky man was Bb superfan Mario Mugan. Coincidence?
On hearing his fate Mario exclaimed:
“I thought that was it, ti was done…I was preparing my tears. Yes!!”
However it wasn’t to be that easy. Mario was played a specially recorded video message from Big Brother telling him that he was to be assigned an impossible task, which he has little to no chance of completing.
Mario is now a mole. He is dressed as a mole, he must sleep in a mole hole but must not let the housemates know that he is a mole…..Wtf? If...
- 6/9/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Channel 4 is rumoured to be planning a Big Brother Come Dine With Me special. Former contestant Nick Bateman suggested the idea earlier this year, claiming that he would like to go on the show with series five star Victor Ebuwa, Freddie 'Halfwit' Fisher, Mario Marconi and Darren Ramsay. He claimed that he pitched the idea to the programme's producers, but the project was turned down. However, writing on his Twitter account yesterday during filming of the Big Brother 11 (more)...
- 5/6/2010
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Former Big Brother star Stephanie McMichael is reportedly planning to audition for this year’s X Factor series.
The reality TV addict was a housemate on the 2008 Big Brother series and also appeared on ITV’s Pop Stars: The Rivals alongside X Factor judge Cheryl Cole.
Stephanie was only 13 years old when she appeared on the singing show and claims that it was Cheryl Cole who first suspected that she was under the 16 years age limit and piqued the suspicions of producers. They then disqualified her from the show.
Stephanie is now planning to come face to face with Cole, as she auditions with girl group LiverBirds and her mum told The Daily Star:
“Cheryl was quizzing her about her age because I think that she was a bit suspicious.
“Stephanie made loads of stories up. It was quite difficult for her.”
Jo added: “She was gutted. She could have...
The reality TV addict was a housemate on the 2008 Big Brother series and also appeared on ITV’s Pop Stars: The Rivals alongside X Factor judge Cheryl Cole.
Stephanie was only 13 years old when she appeared on the singing show and claims that it was Cheryl Cole who first suspected that she was under the 16 years age limit and piqued the suspicions of producers. They then disqualified her from the show.
Stephanie is now planning to come face to face with Cole, as she auditions with girl group LiverBirds and her mum told The Daily Star:
“Cheryl was quizzing her about her age because I think that she was a bit suspicious.
“Stephanie made loads of stories up. It was quite difficult for her.”
Jo added: “She was gutted. She could have...
- 4/28/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Katie Price has hinted that glamour model Vikki Thomas may be about to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Vikki has previously dated both Katie’s boyrfriend Alex Reid and her ex Dane Bowers and bosses are thought to be keen to stir things up between the pair again.
Katie posted on her Twitter page last night:
“Gossip heard a model called vicki thomas who is an ex of danes an alexes is going in house bring it on bb how funny love it xx.”
By the way she mis-spelt her boyfriend’s name, not us!
Vikki currently does some TV presenting for soft porn channnel EliteTV and last night she responded to Katie’s tweet by saying:
“watch this space…..lol x”
Related posts:Celebrity Big Brother 2007: Jade Goody And Jack Tweedy Will Enter The House Tonight!Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Imogen Thomas On...
Vikki has previously dated both Katie’s boyrfriend Alex Reid and her ex Dane Bowers and bosses are thought to be keen to stir things up between the pair again.
Katie posted on her Twitter page last night:
“Gossip heard a model called vicki thomas who is an ex of danes an alexes is going in house bring it on bb how funny love it xx.”
By the way she mis-spelt her boyfriend’s name, not us!
Vikki currently does some TV presenting for soft porn channnel EliteTV and last night she responded to Katie’s tweet by saying:
“watch this space…..lol x”
Related posts:Celebrity Big Brother 2007: Jade Goody And Jack Tweedy Will Enter The House Tonight!Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Imogen Thomas On...
- 1/5/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Boy George may still enter the Celebrity Big Brother house this January, even though a judge forbade him participating as a normal housemate.
An insider told The Daily Star: “There is a loophole. There is nothing stopping him from going into the house for a few hours. The idea is George will join the celebs for a task, probably a singing challenge.”
Related posts:Boy George asks judge to let him enter Celebrity Big Brother 2010Celebrity Big Brother 2007: Jade Goody And Jack Tweedy Will Enter The House Tonight!Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Celebrity Big Brother says Goodbye to George Galloway!Ross Noakes Next Male To Enter Big brother House?Copyright © Unreality TV 2009 | Celebrity Big Brother Updates
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An insider told The Daily Star: “There is a loophole. There is nothing stopping him from going into the house for a few hours. The idea is George will join the celebs for a task, probably a singing challenge.”
Related posts:Boy George asks judge to let him enter Celebrity Big Brother 2010Celebrity Big Brother 2007: Jade Goody And Jack Tweedy Will Enter The House Tonight!Mario Marconi To Re-Enter The Big Brother House?Celebrity Big Brother says Goodbye to George Galloway!Ross Noakes Next Male To Enter Big brother House?Copyright © Unreality TV 2009 | Celebrity Big Brother Updates
This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. The use of this feed on other websites breaches copyright. (Digital Fingerprint: ae93f8d91c14bae38e9b800175b7b...
- 12/26/2009
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
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