Chantelle Houghton is in talks with ITV bosses to return to Big Brother as a guest housemate, 20 years after finding fame on the show.
The 42-year-old reality star won Celebrity Big Brother in 2006 after entering the house as a civilian who had to convince her fellow housemates she was a famous singer. Producers are now planning to bring her back for the main civilian series, which is scheduled to return to screens on Sunday, September 13.
A source told The Sun that network executives have been approaching stars from previous series. "ITV bosses have been tapping up famous stars to return to the house from all of the series - and Chantelle was seen as their perfect Channel 4 signing," the insider said.
"She went into the celebrity house as a civilian, so to send her into the civilian series as a celeb seems like a fun twist," the source added. "Chantelle is larger than life and game for anything. Big Brother bosses are still securing famous names to go into the house as guests in residence - and they think it'll be a brilliant twist."
During her original 2006 stint, Houghton met singer Preston, now 44, whom she married for a year after their romance inside the house made headlines. Following their separation, she went on to embark on a string of other high-profile relationships.
Houghton recently hinted at new television projects during a recent interview. "I started in reality TV and I would love to do more," she said. "I enjoy it, it's fun and I can be myself. Who knows what's next, but I'm back and this time, I'm not going anywhere."
Representatives for Houghton and ITV were contacted by The Daily Mail for comment regarding the potential return.
Guest housemates and twist details
The potential return comes as producers prepare a major surprise for the new batch of housemates just days after they enter the house. Former Celebrity Big Brother stars are being lined up for short stints on the show as guests in residence.
The format takes inspiration from Sharon Osbourne, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother as a "house lodger." Bosses are reportedly targeting stars who appeared on the show during its broadcast eras on Channel 4 and Channel 5, with TV personality Gemma Collins named at the top of their wishlist.
Show schedule and formatting shake-up
The upcoming series will run for a total of eight weeks, making it ITV's longest series of Big Brother to date. However, the network is planning structural changes to the surrounding programming.
ITV plans to replace spin-off show Late and Live with a nightly vodcast airing five nights a week, following a format similar to I'm A Celebrity. Presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best are set to host the main show again, though the schedule will run alongside Best's appearance as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
The updates follow reports last month that ITV plans to axe the Celebrity Big Brother spin-off series entirely after struggling to secure high-profile stars.
