They were joined in the house at the start of the reality TV show on Wednesday by Take That singer Mark Owen, former TV presenter Anne Diamond, comic Sue Perkins and musician and actor Goldie.

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Goldie was the first to arrive

The start of the 10-day charity series, hosted by Davina McCall, ended weeks of speculation as to the identities of this year's star contestants in the house in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

As in the original version of the show - featuring members of the public - the stars will go through a process of nomination and eviction from the house.

They will also have to carry out tasks set by Big Brother and be questioned in the diary room.

The public will vote on who they want to be evicted, and the winner will be revealed on 29 November.

Anne Diamond: Ex-morning TV presenter

Goldie, 37, made his name as a dance music guru but has recently become a star of film and TV. He appeared in Bond film The World Is Not Enough, Guy Ritchie's Snatch and in BBC One's EastEnders.

He was the first to enter the Big Brother house after bidding a tearful farewell to his family, and christened the lounge area with a floor spin dance.

'Laid back'

Next in was Anne Diamond, 48, best known for her 1980s breakfast TV partnership with Nick Owen.

Diamond was once one of Britain's best known TV presenters through her years at now-defunct ITV breakfast outfit TV-am, and later with the BBC.

Les Dennis wants to prove he does nor behave like a star at home

They were followed by Melinda Messenger and Sue Perkins, who entered the house together.

Messenger, 31, made her name as a glamour model, before becoming a TV presenter.

She said the things she would miss most were: "My bed, bath and most of all my children."

Perkins, 33, one half of comedy duo Mel and Sue, told McCall her luxury items were: "A signed photo of [actress] Hannah Gordon and a mechanised otter."

Mark Owen now pursues a relatively quiet life in music

Last to enter were Family Fortunes host Les Dennis and Take That's Mark Owen, who was greeted by huge cheers from the assembled crowd.

As a teenager Owen, now 30, was one of the UK's biggest heart-throbs as a member of Take That. When they split in 1996 he established a short solo career.

He has since slipped into relative obscurity but is managing two musicians, recording a second album and has done some TV presenting.

Owen told McCall: "I'm looking forward to the whole experience. There's going to be a few girls in there as well so it's going to be fun."

Dennis, 49, has been a stand-up comic, impressionist and quiz show presenter but recently turned to stage acting with a role in West End hit Chicago and on Channel 4's Brookside.

Sue Perkins: Brought a signed photo of Hannah Gordon

Asked how being on Big Brother compared to living with his actress wife Amanda Holden, he said: "At home we're not celebrities, that's what I'm going to show."

Terrestrial viewers will see highlights from the day's events each night on Channel 4 until next Friday's winner is chosen by viewers. Coverage will continue through the night, on Channel 4's digital channel E4.

Comedian Jack Dee won the first Celebrity Big Brother last year, after famously making a series of failed efforts to escape.

Dee has attacked the show's second series, saying: "I just wish the whole phenomenon would curl up and die. It smacks of a tired format from a TV channel that's run out of ideas."

VOTE RESULTS
	Who do you want to win Celebrity Big Brother? Melinda Messenger  9.21%  Mark Owen  65.79%  Sue Perkins  10.53%  Les Dennis  1.97%  Goldie  4.61%  Anne Diamond  7.89%  152 Votes Cast Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion

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