[Red Moon]

BIG BROTHER'S FREAK HOUSE

Barrymore, an MP, 2 cross-dressers and Maggot the rapper in oddest show ever CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER
By Nicola Methven, Tv Editor And Aidan Mcgurran

06 January 2006

CELEBRITY Big Brother opened its doors last night...to the show's most bizarre mix of housemates ever.


Disgraced Michael Barrymore will be rubbing shoulders with two cross-dressers - US basketball ace Dennis Rodman and 80s pop star Pete Burns.


Joining them will be firebrand MP George Galloway, clearly swapping one crazy House for another.
Other contestants are former Baywatch beauty Traci Bingham, party girl Jodie Marsh, FA sex scandal secretary Faria Alam and actress Rula Lenska Pop stars Samuel Preston and Goldie Lookin' Chain rapper Maggot, who boasts about being sick over on a cat, complete the "celebrity" line-up.


Barrymore, 53, said: "I have no expectations. If you think about it, the format is right for what I do. People fascinate me.


"I want to see how I cope with the housemates 24 hours a day."


The shamed comic believes his experience battling drugs will help him cope, adding: "I've had a lot of experience in rehabs."


He has been in exile in New Zealand since reveller Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead at his home in 2001.


Yet he insisted: "If certain people want to call it a comeback, they can, because I haven't been away."


Barrymore, who has sparked outrage with his appearance on the show, triggered more fury last night by entering the house to Eminem's Without Me - which boasts about taking "weed" and "hard liquor".


Stuart's dad Terry, 61, of Harlow, Essex, said: "I didn't know the lyrics but I'm aware it makes references to drugs and drinking, which were linked to my son's death. It was sick and inappropriate, but nothing surprises me with Barrymore and Channel 4."


The most surprising contestant is probably Respect MP George Galloway, 51.


Asked whom he would least like on the show, he hinted it was Tony Blair and joked: "I wouldn't like to carry out the first live throttling of a British PM live on TV."


Ex-Dead Or Alive frontman Pete, 46, hinted he would be bitchy and said: "I don't have team spirit. I play for myself."


Dennis, 48, said: "The hardest thing will be three weeks without sex. That's gonna suck."


Jodie, 27, claimed she was getting tired of her Essex girl persona and said: "The press and public are so vile to me. I feel like if it doesn't change I don't want to do this job any more."


Tracy, 37, promised to spice things up and said: "I like to sleep nude. Things could get a little crazy."


Rula, 57, pledged to "broaden people's horizons as to who I am - a crazy Polish countess who likes a challenge".


Maggot confessed: "The most rock and roll thing I've done is puke on a cat."


Asked why he was on the show, Samuel replied: "I'd rather do it and regret it than not do it and regret it."


Show chiefs have added a twist - an 11th contestant called Chantelle, who will have to persuade the house she is famous. If she fails she will be booted off.


William Hill makes Jodie 4-1 favourite but have had no bets on Barrymore.


JODIE MARSH


EX-STRIPPER, 27, who shot to fame in docusoap Essex Wives. Hates other glamour girls, notably Jordan. 4/1


DENNIS RODMAN


EX-US basketball star who dons women's clothes. Married to actress Carmen Electra for nine days. 6/1


RULA LENSKA


REAL-life Countess, 57, and a practising Buddhist. Ex-wife of Minder star Dennis Waterman. 8/1


MAGGOT (Real name Nigel)


RAPPER, 24, with Goldie Lookin Chain who got nicknamed for his flesh coloured puffa jacket. 9/2


MICHAEL BARRYMORE


GAY ex-alcoholic drug addict comic, 57, moved to New Zealand after man died in his pool. 6/1


FARIA ALAM


EX-FA secretary, 39, who bedded England manager Sven Goran Eriksson and chief execMark Palios.10/1


SAMUEL PRESTON


UNIVERSITY drop-out, 23, leader of punky band The Ordinary Boys. Political firebrand says he'll win. 5/1


PETE BURNS


CROSS dressing singer, 46, with 80s band Dead or Alive. Italy-based and loves plastic surgery. 12/1


GEORGE GALLOWAY


SCOTS critic of Iraq war, 51, expelled by Labour in 2003. Respect's MP for Bethnal Green & Bow. 14/1


TRACI BINGHAM


HARVARD-educated ex Baywatch actress (played Jordan Tate), 37, admits being an exhibitionist. 7/1.

Source: The Mirror