IRISH MODEL Georgia Salpa is among the housemates on the new series of Celebrity Big Brother, which began this evening.

Salpa is among 13 people residing in the house at the Elstree TV studios in Hertfordshire, England.

Speculation had been rife that the half-Cypriot model would feature in the house, particularly after it emerged that Salpa had pulled out of a Dublin pantomime booking which would have overlapped with the TV series.

Reports in today’s press speculated that she could expect an appearance fee of £100,000 (€121,000) for taking part.

Interviewed by host Brian Dowling – himself a two-winner of various Big Brother series – on her way into the house, Salpa said she would “try my best” to represent Ireland with pride.

She is joined in the house by former Eastenders actress Natalie Cassidy, actor Michael Madsen, dance instructor Andrew Stone, Playboy models Kristina and Klarissa Shannon, and X Factor ejectee Frankie Cocozza.

Other housemates include former Welsh rugby international Gareth Thomas, glamour model Nicola McLean, Kirk Norcross from TV series ‘The Only Way Is Essex’, Natasha Giggs (the sister-in-law of footballer Ryan, with whom she had an 8-year affair), R&B artist Romeo (real name Marvin Dawkins) of So Solid Crew and former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch.

The 2012 edition is the ninth series of Celebrity Big Brother, and the second to be broadcast on Channel 5, which adopted the show last year on a two-year deal.

The franchise had become available when Channel 4 opted not to renew its 11-year deal with its producer, Endemol.

Georgia Salpa pulls out of panto, leaves Alan Hughes “angered”

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