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Former MP booed as he enters Big Brother house

Richard Price
BBC News, West Midlands
PA Media Sir Michael Fabricant, with thick blonde hair wearing a grey waistcoat and black suit, is stood smiling while holding up an open red jewellery box containing a medal.PA Media
Sir Michael Fabricant was knighted in December 2023 during a ceremony at Windsor Castle

A former MP is among 13 contestants to have entered the Celebrity Big Brother house for the reality TV show's latest series.

Sir Michael Fabricant joined stars including singer Chesney Hawkes, actors Jack P Shepherd and Patsy Palmer, and television presenters Trisha Goddard and Angelica Bell.

He was booed by the crowds as he was interviewed by presenters AJ Odudu and Will Best on the walkway on Monday.

Sir Michael was a Conservative member of parliament in Staffordshire for more than 30 years, most recently for the Lichfield constituency.

Lichfield District Council leader Doug Pullen said he was not surprised Sir Michael had been signed up for the show.

"Michael is an absolute character, and I imagine that producers and agents have been trying to get him into some form of reality TV show for quite some time," he said.

"I think losing his seat last year gave him the opportunity to go and do something like this. We all await with bated breath to see the outcome."

Reuters MP Michael Fabricant, speaking from the green benches in parliament, is seen standing addressing the House. He is wearing a navy blue suit, white shirt and a blue and white striped tie, and is surrounded by other MPsReuters
Sir Michael was an MP for more than 30 years

Sir Michael, who lost his seat in the general election in July to Labour's David Robertson, is taking part in the second celebrity version of the show on ITV.

"I'm going to be charming, I'm going to be fun, I'm going to try and be nice to everyone – I may not be," he said during the show's launch.

He also gave a shout-out to the West Midlands LGBT Conservatives.

Pullen said he thought the boos from the crowd had come about because of Sir Michael's big personality.

"He will, no doubt, be entertaining. He will clash with people, no doubt," he said.

"Having known him personally for the last decade or so, there's absolutely a side which perhaps comes across on Michael's social media, and I very much hope that personal side of Michael comes across in the house with cameras on him 24/7."

Pullen added: "He's in there with a broad range of people - and I don't think there'll be a single topic that is not on the table for conversation."

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