Lauren Harries says Celebrity Big Brother star isn't showing his 'true colours'

Ex- contestant has opened up about this year's crop of housemates and revealed she thinks one of the stars isn't being his true self. The former child prodigy and antiques expert appeared on the show back in 2013 and came in third place behind Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby and Five singer Abz Love.

The ITV reality show burst back onto our screens on Monday, 7th April, and has dominated headlines thanks to its controversial casting, which included Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke. The Oscar-nominated actor was removed from the house on Saturday, 12th April, following repeated warnings from ITV bosses over his behaviour. The 72-year-old initially clashed with US dancer JoJo Siwa by making crude homophobic slurs to the 21-year-old.

However, it wasn't long before The Wrestler star managed to upset almost everyone in the house with things coming to a head during a task that saw him use behaviour and language considered to be threatening and aggressive towards fellow housemate Chris Hughes.

During his altercation, fellow contestant Danny Beard, 32, was praised by viewers for standing up for Love Island star Chris. The drag performer tried to diffuse the situation during the pirate-themed task, which saw JoJo Siwa appointed as Captain. Chris, 32, happened to look at Mickey and was immediately confronted by him. He asked him aggressively: "You looking at me? Don't eyeball me." This prompted Chris to then respond: "Mickey, it was a joke, f*****g..." Danny then jumped straight in, telling Mickey: "He was joking. He was joking. He was joking."

Despite winning praise from viewers, Lauren doesn't think Danny is being his authentic self. Speaking to Simon Gross and Lolly Hart on Celebrity Big Brother Extra, she said: "Danny Beard is a bit of a diva gossip he's not perfect. I worked with Danny Beard when he takes his makeup off; he is very different, sensitive." Hinting that she and Danny had an intimate relationship at one point, she added: "I was in need of a friend when we did 'the job,' but then he vanished. I was in London. He knew my situation, but he just left there. I was lonely. I don't think Danny is showing his true colours."

Last year, Lauren opened up about her health battles after spending seven months in hospital following emergency brain surgery. Taking to X, the reality star shared details about her ordeal with her followers. She wrote: "I was dead and in a coma, but now I'm alive. I have had to learn to walk again and do everything again after the brain surgery had left five holes in my head. I went to a different dimension, what you call an out-of-body experience.

The reality star was rushed to hospital in April 2023 and had to undergo emergency brain surgery. At the time, her mum, Kathy, wrote on social media: "Please pray or send good thoughts to my precious daughter Lauren @LaurenHarries. Who is recovering from emergency brain surgery today." Shortly after, Lauren was taken to intensive care after infections left her struggling to breathe. Lauren's family announced she was awake five days later, but that she was "still in pain" during recovery.

Celebrity Big Brother is available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX.