The live final of Celebrity Big Brother aired on Friday with fans expecting all the past housemates to return for a reunion celebration – but viewers quickly noticed various participants were missing

Celebrity Big Brother viewers were shocked to see arguably the biggest stars of the season missing from the live final.

Earlier this month, twelve huge celebrities entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in the hope of being crowned the winner and receiving national adoration. But by the live final on Friday night, only five stars remained inside the house – but all the other past contestants had also come back for a reunion as the season reached a climax.

Before the final show aired, viewers had learned that Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu had opted not to return for the final after her time in the house went disastrously wrong. Gary Goldsmith had also opted not to appear at the show in light of news his niece, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, had announced her cancer diagnosis hours before the final episode began airing.

But viewers tuning in on Friday night noticed someone else was missing in the former housemate line-up. As the show began, hosts AJ Odudu, 36, and Will Best, 39, welcomed the former housemates back.

Celebrity Big Brother fans noticed three huge stars were missing from the live final reunion ( 
Image:
ITV)

AJ announced: “Over the last 19 days, you’ve sent half of them home but they are back tonight for their first reunion. Hello guys! They look great!” And Will declared: “We are going to be catching up with them in Celebrity Big Brother Late and Live.”

Cameras cut to the Late and Live studio where fans saw Levi Roots, 65, Lauren Simon, 51, Marisha Wallace, 38, Zeze Millz, 34 and Bradley Riches, 22, huddled together. But many were disappointed that Celebrity Big Brother’s Celebrity Houseguest Sharon Osbourne, 71, was not there.

The former X Factor judge had been a guest in the house – appearing for just the first nine days of the show during which time she could not be nominated. Reports suggested she was paid an astonishing £100,000 per episode to feature on the show – but fans wished she’d come back for the final. Not least because her good friend, Louis Walsh, 71, was still in the house and stood a chance of winning.

Many took to X to comment on Sharon’s absence. One wrote: One gutted viewer wrote: “No Sharon to reunite with Louis after he wins? How disappointing #CBBUK.” Another gasped: “SHARON ISNT THERE TONIGHT????! #CBBUK.” Another disappointed fan wrote: “Sharon Osbourne why aren’t you on late and live pls pls where are you oh my word #cbbuk.”

Others noted Sharon may have taken her money and run, with one writing: “Just realised Sharon didn’t even come back for the final. She really just got her coin and dipped #CBBUK.” But another fan simply commented: “I had a feeling Sharon wouldn’t be here but im still gutted #cbbuk.”

Before the final show on Friday, it was confirmed Gary would not be taking part. A Big Brother spokesperson confirmed: “Following today’s sad news, Gary has made the decision not to attend tonight’s Celebrity Big Brother final. We fully support his decision and wish him and his family well at this difficult time. We’d like to extend our thanks to Gary for joining us this series.”

While Ekin-Su pulled out of taking part earlier in the week after suffering a backlash while in the house. A source said: ‘It’s been a bit of a tough couple of weeks for Ekin-Su. She could have played the sob story card but has remained tight-lipped publicly and expressed to those around that she’s aware she must be accountable for a few things that have happened,” they told MailOnline. “Understandably she is feeling vulnerable, but is using this time to gather her thoughts, and figure out next steps, which is why her management believes withdrawing her from the final is the most sensible move.”

Celebrity Big Brother fans brand the show ‘a fix’ as Louis Walsh takes fourth place and David Potts wins despite being hailed ‘the most entertaining’

Celebrity Big Brother viewers have branded Friday night’s final ‘a fix’ after David Potts beat Louis Walsh.

Louis, 71, secured fourth place in the series after playing a controversial role as he spilled secrets about his music industry life and his outspoken views on celebrities.

Fans hailed the Irish music manager as the ‘most entertaining’ contestant and were thrown into disbelief when he had an early exit during Friday’s show, after being bookies favourite to win earlier this week.

During the grand final, host AJ Odudu announced Ibiza Weekender star David as the 2024 winner, with Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin as the runner-up.

Coronation Street‘s Colson Smith came third and TV presenter Fern Britton in fifth place.

Celebrity Big Brother viewers have branded Friday night’s final ‘a fix’ after David Potts beat Louis Walsh

During the grand final, host AJ Odudu announced Ibiza Weekender star David as the 2024 winner

 Fans expressed their shock at his fourth-place finish, venting their frustrations online and branding the show ‘a fix’.

Annoyed viewers shared on X: ‘Who didn’t see that coming? David had the most airtime, he was picked for all the secret tasks. Total fix.’

‘Nah CBB is one big fix I don’t care’ and ‘Proves what a fix it actually is’.

‘Louis Walsh made this series worth watching, he was by far the most genuine and honest housemate. I just loved listening to his constant entertaining gossip. #CBBUK’

‘What is this mess!? How is Colson top 3 and Louis Walsh (as insufferable as he was at times but was the most entertaining) finishes 4th!? #CBBUK’

‘Like him or not Louis was the most entertaining housemate this season. That’s why I was shocked that he was 4th tonight. One of my favourite moments was when he pretended to be BB sussing out the housemates. Well done Louis you were amazing.’

However not all viewers shared the same view, with some happy that the ‘incredibly rude’ star did not win and wrote:

‘Like him or not Louis was the most entertaining housemate this season. That’s why I was shocked that he was 4th tonight. One of my favourite moments was when he pretended to be BB sussing out the housemates. Well done Louis you were amazing.’

‘Thank you god Louis didn’t win.’

David (pictured second left) was crowned the winner, with Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin as the runner-up  Colson Smith came third and Fern Britton in fifth

Fans expressed their shock at his fourth-place finish, venting their frustrations online and branding the show ‘a fix’

Throughout the show, Louis, 71, played a controversial role, as he spilled secrets about his music industry life and shared his outspoken views on celebrities

During his interview with AJ and Will Best, Louis reflected on his time in the house

He stated he particularly enjoyed his gossip sessions with fellow housemate and close friend Sharon Osbourne

‘I understand people like to keep the entertaining ones in until the end as it’s good tv But now they’re all going out surely we don’t let the incredibly rude Louis Walsh win?#CelebrityBigBrother #CBBUK’

‘I’m just happy that Louis Walsh didn’t win. I can’t deal with the British public siding with another narcissist #CBBUK’.

MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.

During his interview with AJ and Will Best, Louis reflected on his time in the house, and stated he particularly enjoyed his gossip sessions with fellow housemate and close friend Sharon Osbourne.

Louis said: ‘We had great fun. We had the best fun, I hope no one heard our chats. No holds barred.’

He added: ‘We’re just honest with each other. We don’t want anything from each other, we’re just pals. The public are not stupid, they see through it.’

Louis shocked the nation when he branded Jedward as ‘vile’ but revealed that they made him a lot of money.

Jedward, whose names are John and Edward Grimes, were managed by Louis between 2009 and 2013 after they shot to stardom on the X Factor.

During one episode, Louis claimed that ‘novelty’ act Jedward were ‘vile’ but made him a lot of money, as he told Coronation Street’s Colson they ‘made him £5m’

Hearing the news the twins, 32, branded the music manager, 71, an ‘evil manipulator’ and celebrated when he did not win the show

After the result was revealed, Jedward wrote on X: ‘F**k Yes Louis is not the winner #CBBUK Mission Complete’ then added ‘I think it’s time for a celebration roast and a dip in the hot tub’

Following the music manager’s remarks, Jedward insisted that ‘justice would be served’, as they launched into a scathing tirade on their X account.

The pair were thrilled as they watched Louis finish in fourth place during Friday’s live final.

After the result was revealed, Jedward wrote on X: ‘F**k Yes Louis is not the winner #CBBUK Mission Complete’.

They added: ‘I think it’s time for a celebration roast and a dip in the hot tub’.