Celebrity Big Brother 2016: Start date, rumoured housemates from Lil' Kim to Tulisa and money deals

It feels like yesterday that Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Davis began a tumultuous 'showmance' with Irish model Jeremy McConnell in the last series of Celebrity Big Brother and subsequently broke up numerous times before getting pregnant. Viewers can only hope that there will be enough drama to match the new show, which gets underway this week on 30 July at 9pm on Channel 5.

With only a few days to go, speculation is rife about who will step foot in the house and usurp last series' Scotty T's crown as CBB winner. Many names have been thrown about including former Ukip leader Nigel Farage (false rumour) but Christopher Biggins is one of the many confirmed contestants – and he's bagged a £150,000 deal with Channel 5. The 67-year-old former I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! 2007 winner will become one of the highest paid stars in the history of the show.

The new 2016 series has been treated to a fancy white-and-gold eye logo with a smashed star running through the middle, which possibly hints at even bigger celebs this time around. Face of the show Emma Willis will return as its television presenter (it wouldn't be the same without her) and Rylan Clark-Neal will of course host its spin-off show Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side.

Stars said to be entering the house include former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan and Lady C – both of whom have appeared on I'm A Celeb, Kim Kardashian-lookalike and Playboy Playmate Chloe Khan and Anthea Turner's ex-husband Grant Bovey. The property magnate and film producer was declared bankrupt in 2010 after acquiring debts of up to £50m and is reportedly being paid £100,000 from Channel 5.

Former X Factor star Katie Waissel is thought to be entering the house, along with Arsenal footballer Olivier Giroud's ex-lover Ceclia Kay and Tulisa Contostavlos, 27, who has allegedly been offered a staggering £500,000 by show bosses as she prepares to re-launch her career.

Other names yet to be confirmed include 1980s pop icon Samantha Fox, Absolutely Fabulous star Helen Lederer, bubbly X-Factor star Lauren Murray, 41-year-old rapper Lil' Kim and the fiery Mob Wives star Renee Graziano. The Sun reported that charismatic Gogglebox duo Chris Steed and Stephen Webb are joining the star-studded line-up too.

And if reports are true, the 'hijack selfie man' Ben Innes – 27-year-old internet sensation who posed with EgyptAir hijacker Seif Eldin Mustafa – is said to be tagging along with the well-known celebs. He is reported to join reality television stars Beth Chapman – wife of Duane 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' – and Geordie Shore's Marnie Simpson and TOWIE's Lewis Bloor. We can hardly wait...

Celebrity Big Brother begins on 30 July at 9pm on Channel 5.