Celebrity Big Brother has officially returned to our screens, and this year’s line-up is already causing a buzz – with famous faces from soapland, politics, music, and drag royalty. Among those entering the house is UK singer Chesney Hawkes, who was the first star to cross the threshold of the iconic house.
Known for his 1991 chart-topping hit “The One and Only”, Chesney delighted audiences with a cheeky nod to the song as he joined the cast, telling Big Brother viewers: “I am the one and only. See what I did there?”
Now 53, the singer has had a varied career spanning music, television and stage appearances, having previously featured on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Loose Women, and music festivals including Flackstock. But beyond his own fame, Chesney boasts a seriously star-studded family.
A Family Steeped in Showbiz
His father, Chip Hawkes (born Lesley Hawkes), was a member of The Tremeloes, one of the UK’s most successful beat groups of the 1960s. The band found fame during the British Invasion era, notching 13 Top 40 hits and a No.1 with Do You Love Me in 1963. Chip joined the group as bassist after lead singer Brian Poole’s departure, helping cement their legacy in UK pop history.
In 2021, Chesney even joined The Tremeloes on tour, performing alongside his father and brother Jodie Hawkes, continuing the family’s musical tradition.
Chesney’s mother, Carol Dilworth, was an actress and game show presenter. She starred in the 1969 horror cult classic The Haunted House of Horror and co-hosted ITV’s The Golden Shot, where blindfolded cameramen aimed a crossbow at viewer-directed prizes.
Even his sister, Keely Hawkes, found success in the 1990s as the lead singer of alternative rock band Transister, making the Hawkes family something of a UK entertainment dynasty.
Revealing Secrets and Setting Challenges
As he entered the house, Chesney revealed a lesser-known personal quirk: “I’m a little bit of a nudist. I do like to get naked, just saying.”
Big Brother quickly gave him a fitting challenge: to introduce himself to the next four contestants using his famous catchphrase “the one and only”. The more times he said it, the more prizes he would win.
Chesney joins 12 other celebrities in the house, including:
- Trisha Goddard, talk show icon
- Jack P. Shepherd, Coronation Street favourite
- Patsy Palmer, EastEnders legend
- Michel Fabricant, former Conservative MP
- A RuPaul’s Drag Race winner
- Several other stars from the worlds of music, reality TV, and drama
Celebrity Big Brother Returns with a Bang
The 2025 season promises drama, laughs, and surprises as this eclectic mix of housemates settles into life under constant surveillance. With Chesney’s charm and famous lineage, he’s already a standout personality to watch.
Celebrity Big Brother airs Mondays to Fridays and Sundays at 9pm on ITV2, with live feeds and exclusives available on ITVX. Stay tuned to see who will survive the ultimate celebrity lockdown — and whether Chesney’s “one and only” status will carry him to victory.
