Louis Walsh, a former X Factor judge, is no stranger to reality TV – it’s his lifeblood. Yet, his debut appearance on Celebrity Big Brother (CBB), following its reboot by ITV, rather takes the crown. Launching on Virgin Media Two in Ireland, Walsh makes an early appearance and surprises viewers by revealing that Sharon Osbourne, an old cohort from X Factor, is amongst the housemates.
In response to Walsh’s exclamation, “I’m with Mrs O!”, the show’s host, Will Best, has a quick retort, while co-host, AJ Odudu, full of enthusiasm, grapples for something more insightful to say about the man behind the Irish Boyband phenomenon of the 90s.
Marking his entrance, Walsh and Osbourne are directed to a “hidden” room, which they initially struggle to locate. Once they’re finally tucked away in their secret spot, they remotely observe other celebrities entering the house. Despite their anonymity being integral to the situation, Louis mistakenly draws attention by shouting from their concealed location.
It is rumoured that Walsh is the highest compensated contestant on CBB 2024, with ITV allegedly investing £2 million on participants. Osbourne, a fellow judge from X Factor days reappears as a guest “tenant”. Word has it that she and the production team failed to reach an agreement on her three-week stay fee.
Osbourne’s visit will likely be short and sweet. However, it poses the question – is Walsh fully aware of what he’s signed up for? His initial reaction on entering the house suggests possibly not. The house, still echoing design elements reminiscent of a vision from Philip K Dick, doesn’t seem to put him at ease.
Historically, Celebrity Big Brother has been a challenging battleground for certain minor celebrities. An untarnished reputation could quickly be tarnished and humiliated, leaving their meticulously curated public image in ruins.
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The beloved Jade Goody never bounced back from allegations of tormenting Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty in 2007 – leading to 44,500 formal complaints to the UK’s broadcasting regulator – while revered British figure Christopher Biggins was expelled from the competition in 2016 following comments deemed homophobic and anti-Semitic. “I’ve erred three times in this place, so I’ve been reprimanded so I now tread cautiously,” he shared prior to his exit. “Naturally, as you unwinds, it worsens because you believe you’re at home.”
Clearly, nothing of the sort will befall Walsh, who throughout the inaugural night maintains a manner that is both amicable and considerate. Nonetheless, he seems considerably perplexed as to why he is secluded in a secret room with Sharon Osbourne, judging unfamiliar faces, in most instances complete unknowns, he has only just glimpsed.
His befuddlement is heightened when Gary Goldsmith, uncle to Kate Middleton, arrives, a genial fellow whom he and Osbourne promptly nominate for elimination (their task is to propose three contestants for early removal).
Osbourne, in for merely five days, enters into the spirit of the show. Walsh, however, appears utterly confused. If he can avoid premature dismissal, he might find himself confined to the house for a potential three weeks. He hasn’t been perfect in the past – he did, ultimately, express approval when Jedward tried out for the X Factor. But one wonders if the magnitude of the commitment he’s undertaken is beginning to dawn on him – it may be a far steeper hill to climb than enduring a repeat performance of Fairytale of New York at a Ronan Keating gig.