Celebrity Big Brother 2016: Winston McKenzie's 'grotesque' homophobic comments dominate opening night

A 'grotesque' and 'homophobic' joke told by Mayoral Candidate Winston McKenzie was slammed by viewers on the opening night of Celebrity Big Brother 2016. The English Democrat joined 15 other plucky contestants as they entered the house for the first time on 5 January where they will be filmed 24/7 for the next five weeks.

When asked on his introduction video how he would cope with the presence of a homosexual contestant in the house, he looked visibly upset declaring he would stand "with my back against a brick wall". His comments were met with sustained boos from the crowd at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood – and gay fellow housemate, EastEnders actor Johnny Partridge, would surely be unimpressed with his words.

The former boxer was quickly slammed by Twitter users who questioned how long he would last in the CBB house. On the C5 show - Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side - aired after the launch he said that he is "single and ready to mingle" and that he took an interest fellow housemate Nancy Dell'Olio.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood told the programme: "I can only go on what Winston was saying on the VT about putting his back against the wall. That's pretty grotesque when you think about it."

Other contestants included TOWIE diva Gemma Collins who was first to enter, singer Darren Day, X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney, Reality star Megan McKenna, former Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Davis, and ex-EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook.

The other members included Kim Kardashian's 'best friend' Jonathan Cheban, Michael Jackson's former 'best friend' David Gest, Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff, David Bowie's ex-wife Angela Bowie, male model Jeremy McConnell, US reality TV star Tiffany Pollard and Geordie Shore's Scotty T.

The prize for most spectacular entrance went to the Flavour of Love star Pollard who declared herself HBIC (Head Bitch In Charge) and quickly received cat-calls from the baying crowd. In a side plot to launch night Daniella and Christopher are set to clash after they fell out in the summer.

On the opening night Big Brother threw in a number of twists. They included forcing the housemates to enter a house full of locked items (including alcohol). Then the first batch of nine housemates were told that two of them must enter a box with themselves with no privileges - the selfless John put himself in the box and then Darren volunteered too.

The pair was then asked to select three people who would have their suitcases confiscated, they chose the-less-than-pleased Christopher, Daniella and Winston. John and Darren then decided to eat only gruel, while allowing the rest of the housemates to gorge on luxury items.