Gavin and Stacey star James Corden has emerged as an early favourite among bookmakers to appear in the next series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Following the success of the Gavin and Stacey finale which aired on Christmas Day, James Corden has emerged as an early favourite among bookmakers to appear in the next series of Celebrity Big Brother, set to air in early 2025.
The Gavin and Stacey finale, which was the final ever episode of the beloved BBC sitcom, was the most watched programme on December 25 this year with preliminary overnight figures from BARB, a ratings tracker, indicating that 12.3m people tuned in to watch the show.
These figures mean that the comedy sitcom, written by Ruth Jones and James Corden, garnered the biggest Christmas Day audience in over a decade, making it the largest non-sporting event in more than 10 years and also beating the previous record set by the 2019 Gavin and Stacey Christmas special of 11.6m viewers.
Following this staggering success, bookmakers Betfred currently have the 46-year-old comedian priced at 4/2 to make an appearance on the show.
Speaking on behalf of Betfred, Celebrity PR Specialist Kayley Cornelius said: “ITV bosses will be keen to replicate last year’s Celebrity Big Brother success, which featured major Hollywood icons like Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh taking on the challenge. With the controversial duo proving a hit, producers will now be on the hunt for equally big names to draw viewers back in.
"With this in mind, Betfred are tipping James Corden at 4/2 to appear on the upcoming series. Off the back of the hugely successful Gavin and Stacey finale, which dominated Christmas Day, a reality TV move could be a make-or-break moment for Corden, who has faced a rocky few years following a string of allegations and rumours that have tarnished his reputation and divided fans.
"A show like Big Brother could be a savvy move for James if he’s looking to capitalise on the Gavin and Stacey success and begin his redemption arc. Increasingly, we’re seeing controversial figures like Nigel Farage, Matt Hancock, and Phillip Schofield use the stripped-back format of reality TV as a form of crisis PR management.
"The Big Brother house would provide James with the ideal platform to speak openly, honestly, and authentically, sharing his side of the story. If handled correctly, it could strike a chord with viewers and pave the way for a fresh wave of success for Corden."
