Bez chose the tsunami relief appeal as his individual charity

Author Germaine Greer, actors Brigitte Nielsen and Jeremy Edwards and racing pundit John McCririck also joined the house for the 18-day programme.

Model Caprice, musician Kenzie and DJ Lisa I'Anson complete the line-up.

A percentage of telephone vote takings from the show will go to aid victims of the Asian tsunami.

OPENING ODDS Bez 2-1 Jeremy Edwards 4-1 Kenzie 5-1 Caprice 7-1 Lisa I'Anson 7-1 John McCririck 8-1 Brigitte Nielsen 12-1 Germaine Greer 16-1 In pictures: Stars enter the house

Bez is listed as the 2-1 favourite to claim the �50,000 prize, with former Holby City star Edwards second favourite at 4-1.

Greer is the rank outsider at 16-1.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: "Bookies aren't raving mad to make Bez favourite to win.

"He's likely to be the most unpredictable housemate but he has a cult following that could bring him victory."

Before joining the show, McCririck said his nightmare housemate would be a "flat-chested, bossy woman - someone like Germaine Greer".

Channel 4 did not reveal the names of the celebrities taking part until the show began, amid reports it had struggled to find enough people to take part.

The last series was won by former Take That star Mark Owen.

Charity

For every 50p vote cast by viewers by telephone or text, 9p will go to a tsunami charity appeal.

The remaining profits from the show will be split between the celebrities' chosen charities, although some have also chosen the tsunami relief effort as their dedicated cause.

"We wanted to do our bit to help and we are sure viewers will feel the same," said a Channel 4 spokesman.

The nightly show on Channel 4 is once again being presented by Davina McCall, with live streaming from the house on pay-TV service E4.

Former Channel 4 chief executive Mark Thompson - now the BBC's director general - said in 2003 there would be no more series of Celebrity Big Brother, saying it would no longer be interesting.

But a change of management at the network saw the reality show reprieved.