Ben Houchen 'approached' for ITV Celebrity Big Brother

Lord Houchen is said to have been contacted by producers of the ITV show about appearing in an upcoming series, according to reports in The Sun.

The newspaper reported that Houchen, who has been Tees Valley Mayor since 2017 and secured a third term in office in May, was on a list of targets for the show’s producers who are said to be looking to secure a big-name politician in their line-up.

The Celebrity Big Brother house. (Image: ITV)

But it’s understood the Tory mayor decided against going into the infamous Big Brother house.

Ben Houchen told the Echo: “I would only ever go on I’m a Celeb, and that’s just so I can meet Ant and Dec.”

Ben Houchen, (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

EXCL - Big Brother producers are looking for a big political name to take part in this year's series.

They have already approached Red Wall Mayor Ben Houchen - but he has turned them down.

They are ringing round other politicians.

More in our gossip column tomorrow....

— Kate Ferguson (@kateferguson4) June 22, 2024

Big Brother producers may be spoilt for choice if they’re looking for a big political figure to enter the house, with a host of well-known MPs standing down at the General Election.

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ITV rebooted Big Brother last year and the broadcaster’s first celebrity series began in March after a six-year hiatus.

If Houchen was to enter the jungle, he’d follow a long line of politicians including Ann Widdecombe, Matt Hanock, Kezia Dugdale and Nigel Farage who’ve starred on the show over the years.

Widdecombe also appeared on Big Brother on Channel 5 in 2018.