Donna Preston appeared to confirm that the Celebrity Big Brother housemates actually know the time – despite previous years leaving the contestants guessing
Celebrity Big Brother fans noticed a big flaw in the show tonight that was revealed during a quick exchange between Ella Rae Wise and Donna Preston. The English comedian popped her head into the bedroom and was concerned to see Ella already tucked up for the night while the rest of the housemates were enjoying themselves in the hot tub.
She approached the The Only Way Is Essex star to ask if she was okay, saying: "Babe, it's ten to nine." Ella responded: "That's what I mean, so early. My social battery is at three percent, maybe five at a push." This exchange baffled fans, but not because Ella was ready for a snooze before the clock even struck nine.
Viewers were more shocked to see that the celebrities appeared to have a clear idea of what time it was. Several flocked to X to comment on the slip up, with one suspicious fan asking: "How did Donna know what the time was?"
Another queried: "I thought they weren’t supposed to know the time in the house?" Big Brother bosses previously made it clear that contestants were being sent into a house where they would have no access to clocks, phones, internet, or streaming services.
However, a member of the 2024 Big Brother cast previously let slip that the producers forgot to tamper with one kitchen item, which meant housemates were able to figure out the time while on the show. Martha told Heat World : "We were really fortunate – [producers] left the time on the cookers, so we always knew the time. The only thing we did know was the time."
Some eagle-eyed viewers also pointed out that other kitchen appliances still told the correct time in the 2024 Big Brother house. These included the coffee machine, microwave, and oven. So the likelihood is that this tradition has been carried on in the 2025 series of Celebrity Big Brother.
This is not the first time Donna has been involved in controversy on the ITV show, but last time it came at her expense. Mickey Rourke was accused of fat shaming her when he mocked her efforts in using an LED mask to tighten up the skin on her face.
He asked if she had seen any results, before making the nasty joke: "You'd probably be better off running round the block for ten minutes." Donna took it in good humour, responding: "I've got to try something. I'm getting a little turkey neck."
However, Mickey quickly hit back: "It comes with the territory." Donna looked visibly confused, and asked what he meant by 'the territory'.
He elaborated, saying: "It's like they say, you are what you eat." The comedian appeared quite upset by his comment, and Patsy Palmer jumped in to defend her, saying Donna eats really healthily. Donna later spoke to Ella and Danny Beard about the incident, and they supported her as well.
