VERNE TROYER - NEW STARS ENTER CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER HOUSE

NEW STARS ENTER CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER HOUSE

Ulrika Jonsson, Verne Troyer and LaToya Jackson are among the new contestants on Celebrity Big Brother.

The former weather girl, actor and singer were part of a group of 11 new contestants on the infamous reality show.

Popstars Michelle Heaton, Mutya Buena and Ben Adams also entered the house, along with controversial Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan and Shameless star Tina Malone.

Completing the lineup were rapper Coolio, glamour model Lucy Pinder and outspoken TV presenter Terry Christian.

The first series of Celebrity Big Brother since 2007 kicked off on Channel 4 on Friday night (January 2nd).

The reality show was shelved for a year - with Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in its place - after the purportedly racist bullying of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty by Jade Goody, Jo O'Meara and Danielle Lloyd.

Some 54,000 people complained about the broadcasts, with protests following in Shetty's native India and remarks made in parliament.

Celebrity Big Brother producer Sharon Powers said the 2009 contestants had been briefed on acceptable behaviour and sent DVDs of previous Big Brother series.

The new series would "explore the world of celebrity," she said.

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