Celebrity Big Brother to be extended for A MONTH following huge ratings success

CELEBRITY Big Brother is set to potentially be extended for almost an extra month following the show’s mammoth ratings success – since queen of clean Kim Woodburn entered the house.
The Channel 5 reality series was due to have its final on Friday, however The Sun Online can exclusively reveal that CBB bosses are hoping to push it back as far as 24th February.
While nothing has been set in stone yet, the team are currently putting plans in place and trying to ensure housemates are available to potentially extend their stay.
A show insider revealed: “The All-Star format has done brilliantly this year, with so many different personalities bringing so much drama.
“The ratings have almost doubled since Kim walked through the doors and caused chaos in the house.
“Viewers are hungry for more action, so bosses are potentially going to push the final back until 24th February.”
74-year-old Kim’s fights and insults which include, “Adulterer!” and “chicken-livered s***s” have made set social media alight and generated countless memes since she joined the house two weeks ago.
Nicola McLean’s epic showdowns with the cleaner and Jedward are also keeping audiences glued to their screens, as is Jamie O’Hara and Bianca Gascoigne’s romance which continues to heat up – despite Bianca having revealed her secret boyfriend.
While many of the current crop of housemates are at the end of their tethers and believing the finish line is in sight, another source reveals that they won’t have to stay longer if they don’t want to.
A second insider explains: “Everyone has a contract which includes the option to extend their stay, however if they do not wish to continue after 3rd February, then they don't have to.
"Of course, bosses hope everyone will remain as they are all so popular, but if they're ready to go they will be free to leave."
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The combination of the extension and the option for current housemates to walk, means that bosses are gearing up for a flurry of new celebs to enter the house.
Vanessa Feltz is coming back this weekend following her legendary 2001 appearance which provided one of the most memorable moments in CBB history after her chalkboard meltdown.
This also means that other favourites who were rumoured to make an appearance still could do, including Lauren Harries, Casey Batchelor, Stephen Bear and Kellie Maloney.
While the show has been kept on screens for longer in previous years, if bosses do stretch it out until the end of February, it will make it the longest-running series yet at almost two months.
A CBB spokesperson said: “The CBB final is on Friday, 9PM Channel 5! No extension.”