Lee Ryan 'dropped from Celebrity Big Brother over pay demands'

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The Blue singer had initially agreed a £175,000 deal to take part in the Channel 5 fly-on-the-wall series but after going on to request a higher fee, show bosses have rejected him and now drafted in so Solid Crew star Romeo - whose real name is Marvin Dawkins - to take his place.

A source said: "Lee was all set to go but then he wanted more than £175,000. There was already a pretty high figure for him so the decision was made to call it a day with him and find someone cheaper.

"There's no doubt he'd have been good value but we can't be held to ransom like that."

Meanwhile, despite Big Brother not attracting the ratings it used to when it was on Channel 4, former host Davina McCall has defended the show - which is now fronted by former winner Brian Dowling - insisting it is still as good as ever.

She said: "It's the same brilliant show it was before."

The 44-year-old presenter also maintained she has no regrets over stepping down as host when the programme came to an end on Channel 4.

She said: "After saying goodbye in such a public way, to go back would have been crazy. Especially as I'd set myself up for life after 'Big Brother'.

'Celebrity Big Brother' returns to Channel 5 tomorrow.