Get ready for fireworks in the Big Brother house! As fans gear up for the 2026 return of Celebrity Big Brother on ITV, whispers from behind the scenes are heating up. This year’s edition, which aired on ITV2 in April, saw Coronation Street heartthrob Jack P Shepherd snatch the crown, leaving viewers hooked. Now, with the iconic show set to explode back onto screens next year, The Sun has the exclusive scoop: two reality TV dynamos are in advanced talks to join the lineup, and they’re guaranteed to bring a whirlwind of drama, scandal, and unfiltered chaos.
Portrait of Junaid Ahmed.
The Real Housewives Of London Reunion
First up is TOWIE’s ultimate firestarter, Junaid Ahmed. Bursting onto the Essex scene in series 31 back in 2023, Junaid quickly cemented his status as one of the show’s most polarizing figures. Who could forget that jaw-dropping Cyprus saga? He sparked major backlash by hooking up with his best pal Harry Derbidge’s then-boyfriend, Joe Blackman, right under the sun-soaked spotlights. Fast-forward to today, and Junaid and Joe are thriving as a couple, but their TOWIE journey hasn’t been smooth sailing—the duo’s been iced out by the group in recent seasons, fueling endless on-screen tension. If Junaid steps into the Big Brother house, he’ll be following in the glamorous footsteps of co-stars like Ella Rae Wise (who rocked this year’s series), Lauren Goodger, and Amy Childs, all of whom turned heads during the Channel 5 era. Expect explosive confessions, Essex flair, and enough shade to eclipse the sun!
Then there’s Amanda Cronin, the unapologetic queen from The Real Housewives of London. As one of six fierce women navigating the glitzy highs and lows of capital life, Amanda’s razor-sharp wit and zero-tolerance for nonsense made her an instant fan obsession. Her epic showdown with co-star Juliet Angus stole the spotlight in the debut series, culminating in that viral mic-drop moment: “Go back to Paddington!” The clip exploded across social media, turning Amanda into a meme-worthy icon. With her no-holds-barred attitude, she’s primed to stir the pot in the Big Brother house, dishing out truth bombs and luxury-level drama that could rival the show’s most legendary feuds.
Big Brother made its triumphant ITV comeback in 2023, delivering two star-studded celebrity seasons and now wrapping up its second civilian run. This year’s celeb lineup was a star-packed thrill ride, featuring the likes of Love Island’s Chris Hughes, pop sensation JoJo Siwa, EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer, and Drag Race UK’s Danny Beard—plus, of course, Jack’s victory and Ella’s unforgettable stint. The previous ITV series crowned Ibiza Weekender’s David Potts as champ, edging out Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin in a nail-biting finale.
But the drama doesn’t stop with the show rumors. Junaid and Joe hit a romantic high note in May, announcing their big move-in milestone with pure Essex style. Posing triumphantly in their dream home, keys aloft and sealing it with a kiss, Junaid gushed on Instagram: “HOME SWEET HOME,” soundtracked by Megan McKenna’s hit “This.” In an exclusive chat with The Sun, he beamed: “So excited for this new journey for myself and Joe… our dream Essex home… we’ve been looking for a while now and ready to start this new chapter.” The love poured in from TOWIE fam—Ella cheered, “Congratulations to you both! Well done boys,” Lauren added a bubbly “Yay congratulations,” Freddie Bentley sent “Congratulations boys, so happy for the pair of you xx,” and Joe wrapped it up with “I’m so happy.” The couple even launched their own Insta haven, @homewithjoeandjunaid, teasing fans with renovation reveals and chic home vibes.
With Junaid’s scandalous past and Amanda’s fiery edge, Celebrity Big Brother 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute blockbuster. Will alliances shatter? Secrets spill? Stay tuned—this could be the most controversial season yet!