Borehamwood will be bursting with stars again on Friday when Celebrity Big Brother hits TV screens.

The reality show spin-off is now in its sixth series.

The house, at Elstree Studios, in Shenley Road, will once again be the site of tears, tantrums and back-stabbing as the celebrities try — and if past seasons are anything to go by, fail — to live in harmony.

A room designed as a prison cell is just one of the home comforts awaiting the 2009 inmates. The revamped house is set to be even more lavish than before, with gold chairs, three carousel horses and a huge marble hot tub. There is also some outdoor seating, in case the air gets too frosty inside.

As usual, the house offers no privacy. The bathroom is separated from the other rooms by a glass screen, and the bedroom, with a carpet featuring bright red stars, is communal.

Channel 4 is keeping the suspense high and won’t confirm who will enter the house. The rumour mills have been in overdrive for weeks, with actor Verne Troyer, better known as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers trilogy, tipped to be going in.

Other names being mooted include former Sugababe Mutya Buena, US rapper Coolio and La Toya Jackson.

In November, the Borehamwood & Elstree Times reported that controversial author David Irving had been in talks with producers about joining the show, drawing massive criticism.

Celebrity Big Brother is no stranger to controversy. The show was shelved last year, following public outrage in the 2007 series over the race row involving Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty.

Michael Barrymore, contestant on the 2006 series, is set to return as a roving reporter on sidekick show Celebrity Big Brother’s Little Brother.

Davina McCall will be resuming her presenting role for Friday’s live launch and on the eviction nights.

“It's good to be back,” she said. “It's going to be amazing."