Celebrity Big Brother Signs Nostalgic Fan Favourite – But There’s a Twist

Rumours are swirling that Chesney Hawkes, the one-hit wonder behind the iconic 1991 anthem The One and Only, is heading into the Celebrity Big Brother house – and fans of retro pop and reality TV alike are here for it.

The 53-year-old singer is said to have signed up for the ITV reboot of the legendary show, which returns next month. And if the whispers are true, his entrance will come with perfect timing – right as he’s trying to storm the charts once again with a brand-new album dropping in April, reported The Daily Record.

A telly insider told The Sun, “Chesney Hawkes is one of those rare British celebrities who crosses generational divides. Everyone knows The One and Only even if the youngsters might not recognise his name.” They added that producers are hoping for some juicy gossip from Chesney’s decades in showbiz, hinting at the kind of behind-the-scenes stories that made Louis Walsh a must-watch in last year’s series.

But there could be a bit of a scheduling clash. Chesney’s also got a tour lined up, and one of his shows reportedly falls on the same day as the Celebrity Big Brother live launch on April 7. It’s not yet clear how (or if) that’ll be worked around, but his reps have been contacted for clarification.

Despite only hitting number one once, Chesney’s remained a familiar face over the years. From his surprise half-time performance at the England vs Wales World Cup match in 2022 – which some fans jokingly credited for sparking the Three Lions’ goal spree – to his latest attempts at a pop comeback, he’s managed to stay in the limelight.

And he’s clearly embracing it. Just last year, Chesney admitted he “jumped on the opportunity to get naked” for his first music video in over a decade. Inspired by Saltburn star Barry Keoghan’s bold (and bare) dance scene, Chesney stripped off for Get A Hold Of Yourself, hoping to show “a different side” of himself.

His kids – Casey, 23, Jesse, 21, and Indi, 18 – weren’t too fazed, apparently chalking it up to a classic “midlife crisis.”

With Coronation Street’s Jack P Shepherd and Olympic legend Daley Thompson also rumoured to be in the mix, this year’s CBB could be packed with nostalgia, wild stories, and maybe a few cringe-inducing moments. And if Chesney’s in the house, you can bet someone’s going to sing The One and Only – whether he likes it or not.