Former MP Sir Michael Fabricant Enters Celebrity Big Brother House
A former Conservative MP, Sir Michael Fabricant, has joined 12 other contestants in the Celebrity Big Brother house for the latest series of the reality TV show. According to a report by the BBC, Sir Michael, who represented the constituency of Lichfield in Staffordshire for over 30 years, was booed by crowds as he was interviewed by presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best on the walkway on Monday.
The BBC reports that Sir Michael is one of a diverse group of celebrities taking part in the show, including singer Chesney Hawkes, actors Jack P Shepherd and Patsy Palmer, and television presenters Trisha Goddard and Angelica Bell. As noted by the BBC, Sir Michael lost his seat in the general election in July to Labour’s David Robertson, which has led to him seeking new opportunities, including appearing on reality TV.
Lichfield District Council leader Doug Pullen, a long-time acquaintance of Sir Michael, told the BBC that he was not surprised that the former MP had been signed up for the show. "Michael is an absolute character, and I imagine that producers and agents have been trying to get him into some form of reality TV show for quite some time," he said. Pullen added that losing his seat last year gave Sir Michael the opportunity to pursue other ventures, including appearing on Celebrity Big Brother.
As reported by the BBC, Sir Michael has vowed to be "charming" and "fun" during his time on the show, but also warned that he may not always be nice to his fellow contestants. During the show’s launch, he also gave a shout-out to the West Midlands LGBT Conservatives. Pullen believes that Sir Michael’s big personality is likely to lead to clashes with other contestants, but hopes that his personal side will also be on display during the show.
According to the BBC, Pullen has known Sir Michael personally for over a decade and believes that there is more to the former MP than meets the eye. "Having known him personally for the last decade or so, there’s absolutely a side which perhaps comes across on Michael’s social media, and I very much hope that personal side of Michael comes across in the house with cameras on him 24/7," he said. Pullen also noted that with a diverse group of contestants, there will be no shortage of topics for discussion in the house.
As noted by the BBC, Sir Michael’s appearance on Celebrity Big Brother is the second celebrity version of the show on ITV. The show is expected to feature a range of challenges and discussions, with Sir Michael and his fellow contestants living together in the house for the duration of the series. The BBC reports that Sir Michael’s booing by the crowds was likely due to his polarizing personality, but it remains to be seen how he will fare in the show.
The BBC quotes Sir Michael as saying: "I’m going to be charming, I’m going to be fun, I’m going to try and be nice to everyone – I may not." This statement has generated significant interest among fans of the show, who will be eager to see how Sir Michael’s personality plays out in the house.
In a statement to the BBC, Pullen also noted that: "He will, no doubt, be entertaining. He will clash with people, no doubt. Having known him personally for the last decade or so, there’s absolutely a side which perhaps comes across on Michael’s social media, and I very much hope that personal side of Michael comes across in the house with cameras on him 24/7."
The series is expected to provide a fascinating insight into the lives of its contestants, including Sir Michael, and their interactions with each other.
