Lewis Bloor may have led his ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ housemates to believe he was picking up a massive pay cheque for taking part in the show, but it seems he may have been over egging it some what.
HuffPost UK can reveal the former ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star is picking up just £50,000 for his stint on the Channel 5 reality show - far less than the six-figure deals the likes of Samantha Fox and Christopher Biggins bagged.
On Tuesday (16 August) night’s episode of ‘CBB’, Lewis was heard telling his fellow contestants he didn’t want to be on TV, and had only signed up for the show to buy his mum a house.
“I wouldn’t dream of going back on a show like [‘TOWIE’]. I have no desire to go back on a show like that whatsoever. I don’t want to be on TV. I don’t want to be in this…” he said.
Asked why he was taking part in the show by Aubrey O’Day, Lewis responded: “Because it was a big pay cheque so I could go and buy my mum a fucking house Aubrey, that’s why, princess.”
However, a ‘CBB’ insider has now told HuffPost UK: “Lewis has been boasting about a massive pay cheque, but that is simply not the case. He is being paid far less than many of the other stars in the house.
“His £50,000 fee is nothing in comparison to what some of the more well-known names are taking home, and he is bound to be unhappy when he finds out how cheap producers have got him for.
“Even then, Lewis won’t be able to keep all the money himself, as his agent will also take a 10% cut,” they added.
It is also thought the production company that makes ‘TOWIE’, Lime Pictures, will also take a portion of his fee, as he is still in contract with them, despite having quit the ITVBe series earlier this year.
But while Lewis’ fee is low compared to other housemates, it is ‘Ex On The Beach’ star Stephen Bear who is taking home the least amount of money for the series, with our source revealing he will pocket just £12,000.
The controversial housemate became the bookies’ favourite to win earlier this week, despite many viewers calling for him to be removed over his antagonistic behaviour.
‘Celebrity Big Brother’ continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.