Celebrity Big Brother fans were left shocked on Thursday night, as Bradley Riches was evicted in a brutal twist.
Following the double eviction of Marisha Wallace and Zeze Millz on Tuesday, hosts Will Best and AJ Odudu revealed that despite there being six contestants left, only five will make it to the end due to another eviction.
The public was given the vote to save their favourite housemate, with Bradley, 22, ending up being booted out a day before the grand final.
However, viewers slammed the show for the way they sent the Heartstopper actor packing, branding it ‘brutal and cruel’.
The latest episode saw the housemates being treated to a surprise visit from a loved one in the secret rendezvous spot.
Each of the celebrities got one minute to chat with their partner, friend or family member, while their fellow housemates watched live from the lounge.
Louis Walsh was surprised by 80s icon Sinitta, who took the opportunity to give him ‘a few home truths’ about his behaviour in the house.
While David Potts got to see his best friend and Colson Smith received a visit from his mother.
Fern Britton cried upon seeing her youngest daughter, while Nikita Kuzmin was also in tears when he got to see his girlfriend.
However, when it came to Bradley’s turn to anxiously sit on the park bench, he was shocked to be met by host AJ.
She broke the news to the star that he would not get to see a loved one, as she was instead letting him know he was to be evicted after receiving the least votes.
His housemates gasped in shock at the revelation, while Bradley tried to hide his disappointment.
He gave AJ a hug and said: ‘I’ve had so much fun. I didn’t think I was going to make it this far. I’m so proud of everyone and I’m very thankful, very grateful and very happy.’
Bradley was able to go back to the house one final time to say his goodbyes, before he was sent home in a backdoor eviction.
Hugging the other celebrities, he said: ‘I love you all so much, it’s fine! I’ve had the best time, I really have, thank you all so much. I’m so proud of myself.’
A crying Fern said: ‘So you should be, we’re all proud of you.’
But viewers were left fuming by the twist and took to social media to call it ‘cruel’ and declare that Bradley ‘deserved better’.
They shared: ‘NOOOOO that was the saddest moment in all cbb history! Bradley was so excited just to get evicted Im sobinggggg; That’s criminal wtf big brother, not Bradley’.
‘Why have we got to witness this cruel act again, Bradley watched his fellow housemates see friends & families & he got aj & door; Omg this is sooooooo sad and harsh. poor Bradley’.
‘no getting bradley all excited about scott and his dog coming in and evicting him is honestly horrible… bless him; i can’t even watch this omg not them getting bradley excited STOPP’.
‘One of the main reasons I’d go on Big Brother is to experience a proper eviction if I had to leave like Bradley just did I’d be fuming; Bradleys eviction was cruel. Period.’
‘this is so mean and they’re playing the barbie soundtrack i can’t cope poor bradley bless him; Not gonna lie Big Brother, that eviction was particularly cruel…’
‘That was absolutely heartbreaking. Nikita just sobbing with his head in his hands and Bradley just being so thankful to them all. That was so cruel; How horrible was that eviction. Such a cold, harsh and savage way to evict someone.’
‘I think that’s really bad from Big Brother tbh building his hopes up like that to see a family member and then evict him. That can impact an autistic person putting him through that. He doesn’t deserve that at all. Bradley is a lovely guy and deserves a proper eviction.’
Friday’s final will see either Nikita, Louis, Colson, Fern or David crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2024.
And former X Factor judge Louis, 71, has become the bookies’ favourite to win Celebrity Big Brother.
He has caused plenty of controversy with his sharp remarks on a host of famous names while in the house.
But it seems the public may be appreciating his honesty and tendency to bring drama as he is now backed to go all the way.
It comes after a twist on Monday night’s show meant Louis would go straight through to the final.
Bookies now reckon he is the one to beat, with the latest odds from BetVictor Casino having him as 2/1 to win, edging out Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin, who was the previous favourite.
A BetVictor spokesperson said: ‘The start of the final week in the Celebrity Big Brother house has seen a new housemate snatch the favourite tag ahead of Friday’s concluding episode, with Louis Walsh our new frontrunner to win the series.
‘Walsh was as high as 33/1 in the outright winner market last week but has been backed all the way into 2/1 as of Monday afternoon, making him the narrow favourite ahead of Nikita Kuzmin (11/5).
‘Having both had a turn as favourite over the last week, Colton Smith and David Potts have slipped back to third and fourth favourite respectively, with Coronation Street actor Colton 7/2 and Ibiza Weekender star David on 8/1.’
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