Celebrity Big Brother (British TV series) series 4

Celebrity Big Brother
Series 4
Series four logo
Presented byDavina McCall
No. of days23
No. of housemates11
WinnerChantelle Houghton
Runner-upMichael Barrymore
Companion shows
No. of episodes23
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release5 January (2006-01-05) –
27 January 2006 (2006-01-27)
Series chronology
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Series 3
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Series 5

Celebrity Big Brother 2006, also known as Celebrity Big Brother 4, was the fourth series of the British reality television series Celebrity Big Brother. It was hosted by Davina McCall and was broadcast on Channel 4 from 5 January 2006 until 27 January 2006, running for three weeks.

Eleven housemates entered the house on Launch Night, but only ten of them were being paid for their appearance. Chantelle Houghton, who was the first to enter the house, had actually auditioned for the sixth regular series the previous summer, but was instead selected to enter the celebrity series. Her secret mission was to pretend she was a member of girl band Kandy Floss, and to convince the others that she was a genuine celebrity in order to remain in the House.

Controversies emerged during the run of the series, such as the participation of a sitting Member of Parliament (expelled Labour MP George Galloway, then-MP for Bethnal Green and Bow for Respect).[1] Eighties pop star Pete Burns included a coat allegedly made from gorilla fur among his possessions; the coat was removed from the house on Day 16, following complaints from viewers and housemates. It was later discovered the coat was made from colobus monkey. No charges were brought forward as it was believed the coat was imported before colobus fur became illegal in 1975.[2]

By the time of the series finale, six housemates remained in the house. This was a first in Big Brother UK history and the next regular series, Big Brother 7, also adopted this format. Houghton was voted the winner on Finale night and was awarded £25,000 for her victory.

Chantelle and fourth place finalist Preston took part in Ultimate Big Brother in 2010 and both made it to the final, with Preston finishing in sixth place and Chantelle finishing third.[3] Jodie Marsh also returned to the house in 2012, as part of a task during Celebrity Big Brother 9.

  1. ^ Gillan, Audrey (14 January 2006). "From firebrand to pussycat: Galloway's TV transformation". The Guardian. London.
  2. ^ "No action over Burns' monkey coat". BBC News. London. 1 February 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  3. ^ "Ultimate Big Brother: Chantelle Houghton and Samuel Preston 'getting back together'". Metro. UK. 12 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2012.