Celebrity Big Brother pay scale 2018: CBB's highest paid housemates of all time revealed
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Celebrity Big Brother returned to our TV screens in style on January 2, with 16 new housemates being voluntarily locked up for the foreseeable future.
Last year, in a surprise twist, announced by host Emma Willis, there was NO prize money for the eventual winner.
Instead the champion of CBB series 20, Sarah Harding, received £50,000 for a charity of her choice.
This year there is no prize money or charity fund, which makes securing a good salary all the more important and worthwhile to keep the celebrities going until the bitter end.
(Image: Getty)
(Image: C5)
As you’d expect, none of the housemates ever actually discuss their salary or confirm the rumours about who is paid what, so there’s no word on whether any six-figure deals are actually accurate.
(Image: Channel 5)
(Image: Channel 5)
Former politician and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe is rumoured to be this year's highest paid star with a reported cheque of £100,000. She no doubt would think she should get double that to put up with the foul language, sexual references and drunken antics of her fellow housemates.
It's not clear what the rest of the housemates are on this year but the rule generally is the lesser well known, the lower the pay out. Therefore the likes of Ashley James, Jess Impiazzi and Jonny Mitchell may well have received less than the legends that are former footie hero John Barnes and US rapper Ginuwine.
(Image: Channel 5)
One thing is for sure, Channel 5 are never afraid to dig deep when it comes to securing their dream housemates.
On Bit On The Side last year, Katie Price made a suggestion as to how much her arch enemy Jemma Lucy could be cashing in for her appearance.
"You didn't pay £50,000 for Jemma. She is worth nothing," Katie blasted.
A quick search through the archives shows plenty of celebrity housemates linked to eye-watering salaries over the years ranging from Ray J ’s record breaking seven-figure sum to a more modest but still amazing £150,000.
Here’s the rumoured Top 10 salaries for CBB housemates:
Ray J - Series 19, 2017
(Image: Copyright unknown)
The rapper is rumoured to be the highest paid contestant in CBB history. He's famous for being Brandy's brother, dating Whitney Houston, and making that infamous sex tape with then-girlfriend Kim Kardashian.
According to reports, American musician Ray J was earning a huge $1 million (£810,000) to appear which, if true, makes him the highest paid CBB housemate in history.
According to TMZ , producers also threw in $30,000 (£24,000) to cover the musician's travel and hotel costs in the UK. (Though Ray J's manager declined to comment.)
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt - Series 19, 2017
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The husband and wife duo finished runner up in CBB 11 in 2013, the series won by Rylan Clark-Neal. They found fame on US scripted reality show The Hills and tied the knot on screen.
David Gest - Series 17, 2016
(Image: Channel 5)
Late music producer and personality David appeared on CBB 17 in 2016 and was involved in one of the show's most infamous moments: when fellow housemate Tiffany Pollard mistakenly thought he'd died rather than David Bowie. Sadly, Gest did pass away a few months later.
Kate Price - Series 17, 2016
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The Pricey was a surprise late entrance to CBB's 17th series and ended up winning. But her experience in the house was marred because of a painful wound on her chest caused by a boob job procedure before she arrived.
Katie Hopkins - Series 17, 2016
(Image: Channel 5)
The outspoken radio personality, columnist and former Apprentice candidate didn't hold back when it came to sharing her opinions in the house. She finished runner up to Katie Price.
Kellie Maloney - Series 14, 2014
(Image: Channel 5/PLANET PHOTOS)
Boxing promoter Kellie Maloney appeared in the 14th series of the show, which was won by US actor Gary Busey. Host Emma Willis called Kellie's exit "bittersweet" as she'd loved watching her on screen.
Janice Dickinson - Series 16, 2015
(Image: Â© Channel 5 Broadcasting)
Janice, who describes herself as the world's first supermodel, was TV gold in series 16, after making a late arrival on day two.
Jonathan Cheban - Series 17, 2016
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Kim Kardashian's bestie makes frequent appearance on Keeping Up With The Kardashians but only lasted seven days in the house before walking out voluntarily.
Stephanie Pratt - Series 14, 2014
Before Speidi entered the house, Spencer Pratt's younger sister Stephanie gave it a go. Best known for her appearances on The Hills and Made In Chelsea, she struck up a friendship with Gogglebox's George Gilbey in the compound.
Danniella Westbrook - Series 17, 2016
(Image: Channel 5)
Former EastEnders star Danniella provided a mother-like figure in the house during her series, which was dominated by the antics of younger housemates including Scotty T and Megan McKenna .
Perez Hilton - Series 15, 2015
(Image: Channel 5)
The US gossip blogger was the most controversial contestant of his series, earning himself numerous headlines thanks to his behaviour. He famously staged a fake walkout as part of a task only to stun housemates when he later returned.
Ulrika Jonsson - CBB 6, 2009
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
It feels like ages ago Ulrika was on CBB; her series included Michelle Heaton, Austin Powers actor Verne Troyer and Tina Malone. She was the only female housemate to reach the finale and was eventually crowned winner.
Christopher Biggins - Series 18, 2016
(Image: WireImage)
iBiggins had previously won I’m A Celebrity but wasn’t able to repeat that success with CBB. He was axed from the show on day nine after being accused of making an offensive joke about Nazism. He later said he was “mortified” to have caused offence. His removal led to speculation he may not receive his full fee.
Stephanie Davis - Series, 17, 2016
(Image: Channel 5)
Celebrity Big Brother returns for 2017 and Calum Best's bewildered face sums up a lukewarm launch night
The former Hollyoaks star wasn't a household name going into CBB but she certainly is now! She struck up a flirtatious relationship with housemate Jeremy McConnell and kissed him on screen despite having a boyfriend, Sam Reece, on the outside.
The two enjoyed an on-off romance after leaving the show, which ended messily when he was convicted of assault on her and common law damage and was spent to prison for a short time. They share son Caben-Albi, although Jeremy isn't allowed to contact Steph and isn't currently seeing his son.
Not everyone is so lucky, however.
CBB uber villain and most talked about contestant Stephen Bear ? Well, according to reports he only took home £12,000 for his role on the show despite emerging as the most controversial housemate of the year.
(Image: PA)
Bear was a familiar face to Ex on the Beach fans ahead of CBB so perhaps that’s why his payday was £12,000. Despite getting the lowest salary of his series, the lothario dominated headlines thanks to his behaviour inside the house which included dumping girlfriend Lillie Lexie Gregg on live TV and hooking up with housemate Chloe Khan .
He later said: “I got paid £12,000 to go on there, [other housemates] get a hundred grand. I would have done it for nothing. All they talked about was, 'I got this much money, I got this much.' Who cares? It's a bit of paper. It's all they talked about in there. It was so boring."