With the reality show Celebrity Big Brother making a comeback to the fold after spending a year in the wilderness, the discussion now has veered to how much money the contestants are making. Last year the show was scrapped when Big Brother contestants Shilpa Shetty and Jade Goody got involved in a bitter controversy, with the latter racially abusing the Bollywood star.
If rumours are to be believed, presenter and mother of four, Ulrika Jonsson, is the biggest beneficiary, as she is reportedly getting a £175,000 fee, which is much more than the less-established stars that are paid in the range of £20,000. There is, however, no official confirmation regarding the fees of the contestants. Then there is also a certain amount of ambiguity surrounding the final line-up that will end up in the celebrity Big Brother house.
Among other names linked to the series, glamour model Lucy Pinder is allegedly getting an up-front fee of £150,000; former Sugababe Mutya Buena could rake in £60,000; while Ben Adams from the boyband A1 is entitled to a paltry £20,000.
The list of contestants further includes Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton, socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, rapper Coolio, and Austin Power star Verne Troyer. Michael Jackson’s sister La Toya Jackson is also believed to have confirmed her participation and is all set to get an appearance fee of £100,000.
The fee revelation, according to Heat magazine news editor, Hannah Fernando, may sow the seeds of cacophony among the contestants when they enter the house. While speaking to Sky News Online, she added how much the stars are making depends on how good their agents are at bargaining and, more importantly, on the actual worth. She said the Ulrika would really send the TRPs soaring as the sexy diva has a history of many a sex scandals, and it is only a matter of time before 41 year old spills the beans on her celebrity exes, especially former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and footballer Stan Collymore. Meanwhile, show bosses are hoping that Ulrika would do exactly that, and help the show ride on her shoulders.