Celebrity Big Brother 2024 finalists revealed after backdoor eviction

What did you miss?

Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches has left the Celebrity Big Brother house in a surprise backdoor eviction.

The five remaining housemates were shocked and upset to say goodbye to the 22-year-old actor but it means they all go forward into the final on Friday, 22 March to compete for the crown of winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2024.

Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton, 66, is the only woman in the final. She is joined by 71-year-old former X Factor judge Louis Walsh and Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin, 26. Also in the final are 30-year-old reality star David Potts and 25-year-old Coronation Street star Colson Smith.

What, how, and why?

The celebrities were delighted when they were told they would all receive visits from loved ones in the garden, while the other housemates all watched on a screen from the sofas.

Riches was the last celebrity to go out and wait on the bench for his surprise visit. But he was greeted by host AJ Odudu who told him no one was coming to meet him, but that because he had the lowest vote from viewers he must leave the Big Brother house.

Riches smiled and said: "I've had so much fun. I didn't think I was going to make it this far. I love everyone in there. I'm very happy and very grateful."

The Netflix star was allowed to re-enter the house to say goodbye to the other celebrities. He hugged them all goodbye, saying: "I love you all so much. I've has the best time."

Kuzmin appeared outraged and kept repeating: "You're f***ing kidding me!" Britton told Riches: "This is horrible." But he replied: "No, it's fine."

Riches told Big Brother: "I feel like I've had the best time. I've made so many amazing friends. I was scared to do it, and I've done it."

Potts was visited by his friend, Smith was met by his mother, Kuzmin saw his girlfriend and Britton's visitor was her daughter. Walsh looked nervous about who would visit him.

But he was delighted to be met by pop star Sinitta. She told him off for being mean in the house and warned him he had a chance to win the show if he could be nicer.

What else happened on Celebrity Big Brother?

Viewers were given the "ick" when Britton was shown giving Walsh a head massage.

The former This Morning presenter gave the X Factor judge a head massage in the garden and the pair exchanged some jokey innuendo after 71-year-old Walsh asked for a "happy ending". Viewers found the scenes uncomfortable to watch and were reminded of MP George Galloway's infamous Big Brother moment with Coronation Street actor Rula Lenska.

The Celebrity Big Brother final airs at 9pm on Friday, 22 March on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.

Read more: Celebrity Big Brother

• What does the winner of Celebrity Big Brother get? (Cosmo, 2 min read)

• Who is left in Celebrity Big Brother 2024 and when is the final? (Evening Standard, 2 min read)

• Celebrity Big Brother: Tensions between Nikita and Fern boil as housemates face elimination (Independent, 1 min read)

Watch: Louis Walsh reveals real reason he signed up for Celebrity Big Brother