The launch date for the new series of Big Brother has been announced, with sources claiming bosses are lining up a dramatic new twist.

The ITV hit is set to return to screens slightly earlier than usual this year, with a new crop of housemates set to move in on Sunday September 13th.

It’s also being reported that the housemates will get a huge surprise just days into their time in the house, in the form of a string of celebrity housemates.

Taking inspiration from Sharon Osbourne, who appeared on CBB as a ‘house lodger,’ it’s thought that former CBB stars are being lined up for stints on the show.

It’s thought that celebrities who appeared on CBB during its time on Channel 4 and Channel 5 are in the running, with Gemma Collins top of bosses’ wishlist.

This year’s series is also set to be ITV’s longest run yet and will air for a total of eight weeks.

The new series of Big Brother is reportedly set to kick off on Sunday 13th September, and bosses are lining up a dramatic twist=

A source told The Sun: ‘The plan is to find big stars from all of the CBB’s series to come in and surprise the housemates.

‘Finer details are still being thrashed out, with the idea that some would come in as guest residents and some for specific tasks.

‘No celeb is off the table, their dream line-up would include people like Gemma Collins, Kerry Katona and JoJo Siwa, and they’re sure they can secure some amazing talent.’

This year’s Big Brother has already been tipped for a huge shake-up, with plans to axe spin-off show Late and Live in favour of a nightly vodcast.

Following in the footsteps of I’m A Celebrity, the aftershow will be broadcast five nights a week.

AJ Odudu and Will Best are once again set to host the show, though it will coincide with Will’s stint as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing

Last month it was reported that ITV are planning to axe the spin-off Celebrity Big Brother, after struggling to draw in a high calibre of stars.

An insider told The Sun: ‘Bosses face a huge challenge trying to sign up celebrities because so many of them are now pressing their agents to get them on The Celebrity Traitors.

It’s thought that former Celebrity Big Brother stars, including Gemma Collins, are being targeted by bosses for stints in the civilian run

‘That is already causing problems for other big shows, like Strictly and I’m A Celebrity, which rely on star contestants because they now find themselves as second in the pecking order.

‘So that is an even greater issue for a show like Celebrity Big Brother because now it’s on ITV, it needs a certain calibre of contestant which are very hard to sign up now.

‘ITV are already having to find two lots of stars to compete on I’m A Celebrity this autumn as well as its spin off show, The Wild Frontier, which is expected to air in early 2027 – which is exactly the same time ITV were hoping to drop the new series of CBB.’

A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘Big Brother returns to ITVX and ITV2 later this year. No decisions have been made for 2027 as yet.’

The most recent celebrity series aired on ITV in April last year, with Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd emerging victorious.