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AJ Odudu reveals major change to Big Brother house days before the launch and it will cause plenty of drama
CELEBRITY Big Brother anchor AJ Odudu has revealed a huge change to the ITV house – which she vows will “heighten drama.”
The presenter, 37, let slip the show tweak after we reported how bosses were moving the TV compound after two years at Garden Studios in Harlesden, West London.
The Sun then exclusively revealed how a fan-favourite feature of the Celebrity Big Brother accommodation had, as a consequence, been ditched for the new series – which kicks off next week.
The Mezzanine floor – which was introduced by ITV when it rebooted Big Brother in 2023 – has been scrapped.
Now, following the re-location to a “secret” space AJ has told how the house is smaller as a result – meaning contestants will be in even closer quarters.
At a CBB media event she said: “There’s always twists and turns with Big Brother.
“The house is in brand new location and it’s got a brand new layout.
“I know the house has been made slightly smaller which might heighten drama.”
An insider previously told The Sun of the compound re-vamp and said: “ITV moving to a new location means the Big Brother house is getting a full revamp – starting from the top down.
“The house layout is returning to a single story, just like when the show was based at Elstree Studios during its time on Channel 4 and C5.
“It’s exciting for fans who love the pre-series build up and ITV are going all out especially with the new studio move.
“There’ll still be plenty of new spaces for housemates to gossip and work on the house is due to begin imminently ahead of the new series.”
Big Brother has been relocated to Titan Studios in West London, a short hop from its former abode.
Titan Studios is a ex-distribution centre with two stages with over 200,000 square foot of production space and is located next to Versa TV Studios.
Bosses will rebuild the live eviction set and garden adjacent to the studio.
Who has won Celebrity Big Brother?
THE first Celebrity Big Brother aired in March 2001 on Channel 4.
Roll on 23 years and a switch to Channel 5 in 2011, CBB is now into its 23rd season and is being hosted for the first time by ITV.
Here’s who has won the coveted title so far:
Season 1 (2001): Comedian Jack Dee beat actress Claire Sweeney despite walking out of the house and evading security for about an hour. The series was also more memorable for Vanessa Feltz telling Big Brother to “f*** off” after chalking “incarcerated”, “ambushed” and “restricted” on the table.
Season 2 (2002): Take That favourite Mark Owen triumphed over TV host Les Dennis. The latter won over the sympathy of the audience after his marriage breakdown with his wife Amanda Holden.
Season 3 (2005): Maraca shaking Bez walked out the winner ahead of Blazin’ Squad‘s Kenzie. The Happy Mondays star scooped the £50,000 and went on a 10-hour bender, blowing the cash.
Season 4 (2006): This was the season when Big Brother mixed things up – by sending in a non-celebrity from the fictional band Kandy Floss. However, Chantelle Houghton won over viewers and housemates alike and was crowned the winner. During her time in the house she found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston. There was also added drama when George Galloway pretended to be Rula Lenska‘s pet cat.
Season 5 (2007): Actress Shilpa Shetty won after being caught up in a racism bullying row with former BB contestant Jade Goody, model Danielle Lloyd, and S Club‘s Jo O’Meara.
Season 6 (2009): Ulrika Jonsson beat Terry Christian, but controversy came in the form of rapper Coolio who was slammed by viewers as misogynistic, however, he finished in third spot.
Season 7 (2010): Alex Reid beat Dane Bowers and Vinnie Jones with a huge 65% of the vote. Alex married Katie Price one month later.
Season 8 (2011): In the first series to air on Channel 5, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty was the unexpected winner, beating singer Kerry Katona.
Season 9 (2012): Loose Women star Denise Welch triumphed over X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza, after stripping off while drunk and jumping into the hot tub topless.
Season 10 (2012): Comedian Julian Clary got the nod in the vote over Coleen Nolan.
Season 11 (2013): The X Factor’s Rylan Clark beat couple Heidi Montag
& Spencer Pratt, who was competing as “one entity” and known as Speidi.
Season 12 (2013): Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby beat 5ive singer Abz Love
Season 13 (2014): Jim Davidson won after a blazing row with Linda Nolan. N-dubz Dappy took the second spot.
Season 14 (2014): Gary Busey – who chose to roam around the CBB house naked – beatboxer Audley Harrison.
Season 15 (2015): Katie Price won the battle of the Katies as she saw off controversial Katie Hopkins in the final. The biggest talking point was American blogger Perez Hilton‘s raging row with Calum Best, but the series also saw two early ejections of Jeremy Jackson and Ken Morley.
Season 16 (2015): Apprentice star James Hill beat model Austin Armacost. Tila Tequila was evicted on just the second day after she was found to have posted support for Adolf Hitler on social media.
Season 17 (2016): Geordie Shore’s Scotty T won after sharing a kiss with fellow housemate Tiffany Pollard. Stephanie Davis was runner-up.
Season 18 (2016): Stephen Bear won the show despite a huge row with radio star James Whale. Ricky Norwood placed second but this season saw Christopher Biggins ejected from the house after making an anti-Semitic joke.
Season 19 (2017): Coleen Nolan entered the CBB house for a second time – and this time came out the winner beating Jedward. During her second stint, she had a massive showdown with horse star John McCririck.
Season 20 (2017): It was the battle of the reality show singers in the final, with Popstars: The Rivals winner and Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding beating The X Factor’s Amelia Lily.
Season 21 (2018): Courtney Act, otherwise known as Shane Jenek, won with politician Ann Widdecombe as runner-up.
Season 22 (2018): Winning Dancing On Ice in 2024, was not Ryan Thomas‘s first reality show title. He won the CBB title in 2018, after a shocking “run-in” with Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallet, who falsely accused him of punching her. Actress Kirstie Alley came second.
The Sun recently reported how Corrie star Jack P Shepherd had signed up to star.
Previously, we told how EastEnders star James Bye had also been lined up.
So far other names linked to the show include former Love Islander Chris Hughes and Towie’s Ella Rae Wise are among the other names rumoured to be going into the house.
A spokesman for ITV previously said: “Any names linked to the Celebrity Big Brother line up are purely speculative.”
Celebrity Big Brother 2025 is set to start on April 7, 2025.
Vauxhall slashes prices of EVs to swerve ‘luxury car tax’ as company boss warns electric drivers are being ‘penalised’
VAUXHALL has slashed the prices of EVs to swerve the “luxury car tax” – with the firm’s boss warning electric drivers are being “penalised”.
The iconic car brand has cut the price of the Ultimate versions of its Astra Sports Tourer and Grandland electric cars to below £40,000.
This mega move will mean all of Vauxhall’s EVs – except the van-based Vivaro Life Electric – will avoid the vehicle excise duty (VED).
From April 1, road tax is changing its rates for petrol, diesel and electric vehicles with the latter also getting an extra “luxury” car tax for vehicle over £40,000.
From next month, any car that emits more than 255g/km of CO2 will be required to pay an extra £2,745 to be allowed on the road.
This means that for some drivers, VED costs will spike to a whopping £5,490.
Additionally, the costly car supplement, for those in possession of cars worth more than £40,000 when new, will rise by £15, to £410.
This means owners of cars worth more than £40,000 face paying an extra £2125 in tax in six years.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to the VED tax during the Autumn Statement, revealing that her aim is to strengthen incentives to purchase zero-emission and electric cars “by making petrol and diesel motors more expensive.“
However, Eurig Druce, acting managing director of Vauxhall, has argued that with the average price of an EV in the UK hovering at around £48,000, Reeves’ tax change will penalise electric car owners.
He told Autocar: “The threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement has remained at £40,000 since inception in 2017, despite subsequent high levels of inflation. If it were to have risen with inflation, it would now be around £52,000.
“With the average price of an EV in the UK at around £48,000, this new tax means that customers buying some of the more attainable electric cars on the market are now being penalised whilst at the same time we’re trying to move as many British motorists to electric as quickly as possible.”
How will the changes affect you?
If you have an electric, zero or low emission car registered on or after April 1, 2025, from April 1 you will have to pay £10 car tax in the first year.
From the second year onwards, you will have to pay the standard rate of £195.
If you have an electric, zero or low emission car registered between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2025, you will have to pay £195 from April 1.
For those with an electric, zero or low emission car registered between March 1, 2001 and March 31, 2017, you will have to pay £20 car tax.
What is the expensive car supplement?
the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) requires owners of “luxury” cars to pay more road tax.
When it first came in, the majority of vehicles on UK roads sat well below the £40,000 threshold.
However, according to Auto Trader, the average price of a new car was £39,308 as of last year – up around £12,000 from five years before.
Despite the significant increase in car prices, the threshold has remained frozen and doesn’t look set to change.
If it was adjusted for inflation, the threshold would sit at £51,000 today.
As such, the platform estimates that around 45% of new petrol and diesel models and 67% of new EVs surpass the £40,000 barrier.
In practice, this means thousands of what were previously considered standard models being swept into the upper tax rate.
Until now, owners of cars subject to the ECS have to pay £410 on top of their normal road tax for each of the first five years of registration.
Owners of hybrid vehicles who previously got a £10 a year discount on their car tax will lose it and have to pay £195.
Electric vans and motorcycles will also move to the existing annual rates for light goods vehicles and small engine size vehicles.
Electric vans registered on or after March 1, 2001, and under 3,500kg will have to pay up to £351.75.
Electric vans registered between March 1, 2003, and December 31, 2006, and under 3,500kg will have to cough up up to £147.
Electric motorbikes will have to pay up to £122.85 depending on the model and payment method.
Drivers of electric vans and motorbikes can pay for road tax in different instalments which affects the amount paid.
Major road linking two cities is CLOSED in both directions after horror lorry crash – with drivers warned to avoid area
A MAJOR road linking two cities is closed in both directions after a horror lorry crash.
Motorists have been warned to avoid the A628 Woodhead Pass which has been shut since the early hours of the morning.
It connects Manchester and Sheffield.
Police say a lorry hit a wall on the road and the driver left the scene before officers arrived.
Drivers are advised to use the A57 Snake Pass or the M62 as an alternative to Woodhead Pass.
Woodhead Pass is fully closed between Hollingworth, in Tameside, and the Flouch roundabout in South Yorkshire.
National Highways Yorkshire first reported the collision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, at 2.44am this morning.
In a further tweet, a spokesperson said: “Due to a collision involving a lorry.
“The road will be closed through the morning peak travel period due to a complex recovery operation being required.”
A Derbyshire Police spokesperson said previously: “The A628 Woodhead Pass stretch is closed in both directions following a collision between a lorry and a wall.
“Please avoid the area and use alternative routes to allow emergency services to respond to the incident.”
In a later update, a force spokesperson said: “We received reports of a collision on the A628 Woodhead Pass, Crowden Stretch, just after 1.20am on Tuesday, April 1.
“The incident involved a lorry which was in collision with a wall. The driver of the lorry left the scene before officers arrived and enquiries are ongoing to trace them. The road was closed while the incident was dealt with.”
“The road was closed while the incident was dealt with.”
Call the Midwife star lands brand new role in EastEnders – two years after leaving hit drama
A CALL the Midwife star has bagged a brand new role in EastEnders – two years on from leaving the show.
Leonie Elliott starred as Nurse Lucille Anderson in the BBC period drama from 2018 to 2023.
The character left Poplar after deciding to focus on her mental health, following a miscarriage.
At the time, Leonie penned on social media: “Thank you all for embracing Lucille and rocking with me on this journey, it is with a heart full of love and appreciation that I embark on pastures new.”
More recently, EastEnders fans were stunned to see the actress pop up in Walford.
Appearing as inquisitive journalist Charlotte, she tried to get an exclusive interview from Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).
Sharing their suspicions, a fan wrote online: “Definitely not who she says she is.
“Didn’t recognise her at first she played Lucile in Call the Midwife.”
Another simply added: ” “She used to be on call the midwife.”
Bianca and her sister Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) are getting back to normality after months of chaos.
Sonia’s ex-fiancé – and father of her baby daughter Julia – Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) murdered his comatose wife Debbie last summer.
Earlier scenes showed he had been facing mounting debts and money woes.
As the storyline progressed, Reiss allowed Sonia to be blamed for the killing.
The fan favourite was therefore sent to prison for a crime she didn’t commit.
To protect his secret, the murderer later ambushed Bianca when she uncovered the truth.
For weeks, Reiss kept her chained and hidden away in a lock-up – with no release in sight.
Dot Cotton’s (June Brown) great nephew ultimately met his end in the 40th Anniversary.
Reiss died after being crushed by a falling bathtub in the explosion-destroyed Queen Vic.
Call The Midwife: A breakdown
Call The Midwife first came onto the airwaves in 2012 and has been seen by millions. But what is it about?
Series one: Set in early 1957 and it explored the ‘Baby Boom generation, which included themes of poverty and post-war immigration.
Series two: Set in 1958 and it showed gas and air being introduced for pain relief for the first time. It ended with the Nonnatus House building being condemned.
Series three: Set in 1959 and it depicted gruesome conditions such as cystic fibrosis, polio and it showed the midwives in the context on prisons.
Series four: Set in 1960 under the threat of nuclear warfare and the emergency response guidelines issued by the local Civil Defence Corp. Other themes included LGBT rights, and syphilis.
Series five: Set in 1961 and it shows the care of patients with conditions such as Typhoid and strokes. We also saw the effects of thalidomide, the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Series six: Set in 1962 and domestic violence was at the centre of the season. Other themes included FGM (female genital mutilation), mental health issues and interracial marriage. It was also notable for the introduction of Reggie, a recurring character with Down Syndrome.
Series seven: Set in 1963 and we see Nurse Lucille Anderson for the first time. We also see the show address conditions such as dementia, huntington’s disease, leprosy and meningitis
Series eight: Set in 1964 and it bravely covered the issue of abortion, which was not legal for another three years in 1967. Sickle cell disease, cleft lip, cleft palate and intersex people also featured.
Series nine: Diptheria was at the centre of the ninth instalment in 1965, and it was notable for featuring a blind expectant mother. But the role of Nonnatus House within the community also came into question.
Series ten: Set in 1966, Nonnatus House has a rival in the form of the private Lady Emily Clinic in Mayfair. PKU, diabetes and the controversy surrounding abortion were central themes.
Series eleven: Set in 1967 amid the housing crisis and a scabies epidemic. The show was rocked by a train crash right next to Nonnatus House.
He confronted and threatened Sonia and Bianca while his ex went into labour.
Bianca shoved her former captor away, telling him to drop dead, as rubble landed nearby.
He remarked: “That was close”, as the bathtub fell down shortly afterwards.
EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.
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Dolores Silva Net Worth 2023 – The famous Portuguese Football Player “Dolores Silva” has a net worth of $400,000 Dollars ...
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Inside Love Island star Anna Vakili’s £4k a NIGHT private island holiday as she strips off to a bikini
SISTER duo Anna and Mandi Vakili have jetted off on a £4k-per-night getaway to a private island resort in the Maldives.
Anna, who shot to fame on Love Island in 2019, soaked up some tropical sun after recently splitting with her long-term boyfriend.
The pair, who host the popular podcast Sisters In The City, stayed at the Ayada Resort which is a luxury private island surrounded by an incredible turquoise lagoon.
Described as “just a boat ride from the equator”, the resort has also hosted celebs such as Made in Chelsea’s Louise Thompson and Love Island’s Amber Davies.
Taking to Instagram, Anna shared multiple pics of the island including the pair’s ocean-front villa which includes a private pool.
In one snap the blonde bombshell stripped down to a burgundy bandeau bikini which showed off her curves and toned body.
The Love Island star posed on a ladder, which led straight into the incredible backdrop of the island’s lagoon, and captioned the post, “First day in paradise.”
On her Instagram stories, Anna shared videos of her sister Mandi dancing at one of the resort’s evening events and even captured an impressive fire show, all whilst enjoying a five-star beach side buffet.
In another clip the pair can be seen riding bikes through the resort to which she penned: “Having the best time ever.”
Mandi posted a selection of pics from the holiday including a number of racy snaps. In one video she can be seen walking around the villa in a thong bikini as she makes her way to the ocean.
In another snap, the star went bare-faced as she stripped down to a black bikini posing in various spots around her suite, captioning the post: “Oh honey, you deserve it (heart emoji).”
Mandi recently appeared on KSI’s hit Netflix show Inside 2, alongside Whitney Adebayo, rapper DDG and TikTok star Milli Mcloughlin.
The pair’s getaway comes after the reality beauty revealed she had split from her boyfriend just months after they got back together.
Anna revealed all on their joint podcast and lifted the lid on what happened.
“Yeah basically me and Cowslick have broken up,” Anna said, causing her sister to burst out laughing.
“Why you laughing?” Anna questioned, and her sister responded: “It’s like an announcement. I feel like there’s a press conference.”
Anna said it felt like “deja-vu,” and said she felt “so sad that it’d come to this.”
Defending herself, Anna added: “I know so many of you are going to be like ‘I told you so,’ but I genuinely thought that this wouldn’t happen.
“I thought it would be forever so it is hard that it has come to this.”
