Stars enter Big Brother compound

Meet the celebrity housemates

Famous faces including La Toya Jackson, Austin Powers actor Verne Troyer and TV host Ulrika Jonsson have entered the Celebrity Big Brother house.

Singer Mutya Buena, presenter Terry Christian and Shameless actress Tina Malone are also in the line-up.

Singers Ben Adams and Michelle Heaton, US rapper Coolio, Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan and glamour model Lucy Pinder complete the household.

It is the first series since 2007's show was rocked by a racism row.

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Remarks made by Jade Goody to actress Shilpa Shetty drew 54,000 complaints.

The new series will run for two weeks, with the first eviction expected to take place next Friday.

Austin Powers star Verne Troyer is an early tip to win

In the first twist to the new series, presenter Davina McCall announced that for the first time in the show's history, a leader of the celebrity house will be appointed.

That person will live in luxurious quarters and will nominate fellow celebrities to face the first public vote while gaining immunity themselves.

The show's executive producer, Sharon Powers, said all of this year's housemates had been reminded about the earlier controversy.

They were also sent DVDs of previous Big Brother series, she added.

Ms Powers said this year's show would "explore the world of celebrity".

"What we aim to do is get an interesting bunch of famous people who we talk to and meet on an individual basis."

Bookmakers Ladbrokes said Troyer, Coolio and former boyband star Ben Adams were currently favourites to win the series.

Bollywood actress Shetty won two years ago, earning 63% of the public vote.