Big Brother host breaks silence on Gemma Collins rumours: "I don't think TV can get better"

Kate Lawler, legendary Big Brother winner and now host of spin-off The Group Chat, has addressed speculation that Gemma Collins is about to re-enter the iconic compound for a guest stint. Reports suggest she'll follow in the footsteps of Jedward by making an appearance on the ITV2 hit in the coming days.

Speaking to Attitude, Lawler gave a telling wink to the camera as she insisted that she doesn't "know anything" - but said an appearance from the Celebrity Big Brother icon would certainly bring the drama.

"I don't know anything, but the GC going in would be amazing if it happens," she said. "Again, I don't know anything. But if you thought Jedward gave drama, the GC is going to give even more. If she goes in."

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She continued: "They don't tell me anything, otherwise I'd tell everybody, like you. But she is a self-confessed diva and I feel like Jedward are pretty diva-esque in themselves.

"It's a brilliant series of Big Brother regardless of any celebrities going in. But my gosh, if Gemma Collins walks in there and Rochelle is still in the house... I don't think TV can better than this year's Big Brother but it's definitely going to be."

A report by The Sun suggested Gemma will arrive on Friday for a few nights; going back to the show that saw her utter such quotes as "I'm claustrophobic, Darren", "get that fire exit door, I'm off" and - to Gillian McKeith - "No!"

If it's true, either Pauline or Rob will miss out on the chance to spend time with her, as they both face Friday's eviction as a result of brutal face-to-face nominations earlier this week.

Related: Big Brother viewers declare Rob "to win" as he "finally" stands up to housemates

An ensuing row between Pauline and newcomer Catrin, and then Rochelle, led to Pauline being told by show bosses to sleep in The Snug, rather than in the main bedroom. In tonight's episode (7 October), she was seen receiving a formal warning.

Catrin entered the house at the end of last Friday's episode, alongside fellow newbie Twinks. The pair's entrances came after the voluntary exit of Charlotte, and the divisive eviction of Rochelle's in-house nemesis, Johanne.

Big Brother airs on ITV2 and streams on ITVX.

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Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.