Housemates await nominations amid political rows

The results of the first nominations in the Celebrity Big Brother house will be revealed today as two separate political wrangles brewed around the unsuspecting housemates.

Unless Respect Party MP George Galloway is evicted before Thursday, he will miss a crucial Commons debate on the £500m (€730m) Crossrail transport link which will affect his constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow.

An internet protest campaign, Get Back To Work, George, is calculating how much it costs taxpayers each day Galloway stays inside the house. At 5pm yesterday it stood at £643 (€941m).

In another political row affecting the housemates, the Government warned Pete Burns he could face jail over his “gorilla-skin” coat.

The Dead Or Alive star claims his fur coat is made from the endangered animals.

Now the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs say he may face “serious consequences” if he is telling the truth.

Trading in endangered species carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight said yesterday: “Gorilla skins belong on gorillas, not on reality TV show contestants. Gorillas are critically endangered, and any promotion of gorilla products in this country can only put these amazing creatures in further peril.

“If this is in fact a gorilla skin, there may be serious consequences.

“Any gorilla skin acquired after June 1947 would require an exemption permit, which would be highly unlikely to be granted. Equally, any gorilla skins or other products brought into this country require an import permit.”

The surgically-enhanced singer has already had a furious row with animal-lover Jodie Marsh about the coat.

:: Bookies are offering odds of 25/1 that fake celebrity Chantelle will release a single with her imaginary band Kandyfloss.

The 22-year-old Essex girl performed her supposed record, I Want It Right Now to the other housemates.

Her performance was off-key – but the others still failed to spot she was a pretend celebrity.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: “Chantelle’s dodgy voice may not prevent her from hitting the charts when she exits the house.

“Punters have taken her to their hearts and are keen to live the dream with her.”

The Paris Hilton lookalike is also 33/1 to front a UK version of Paris’ TV show The Simple Life.

And Michael Barrymore is just 20/1 to land a role in West End musical The Producers after using Big Brother to make his TV comeback.

“Despite recent controversies, it’s clear he still loves the spotlight and the West End stage could satisfy his craving for attention,” said Williams.