Former X Factor contestant Rylan Clark and Steps singer Claire Richards have signed up for this year's UK Celebrity Big Brother.

The show held its launch night on Thursday (January 3) as 12 famous and not so famous faces signed up for weeks and weeks of reality TV.

X Factor 2012 hopeful Clark had long been rumoured to feature in the show and he did not disappoint, becoming one of the first contestants to appear.

Steps singer Claire Richards was also added to the house, confirming rumours which had been circulating.

Other names in the house include US reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, jockey Frankie Dettori and Neighbours' Ryan Moloney, who plays the character of Toadfish.

Comic Jim Davidson was also due to appear to on the show, but he was arrested on Wednesday (January 2) as part of a wide investigation into alleged sex offences.

Rumours that actress Lindsay Lohan could feature on the show, however, did not materialise.