David Gest’s rumoured appearance on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ could be derailed by his new tour of the UK.
The TV personality and music producer has, according to reports, been offered a six-figure sum of more than £250,000 to enter the house this summer.
Although he is seriously tempted to go in and entertain viewers he is currently working on the ‘David Gest (I’ve Had The Time Of My Life Tour!’ which begins at the 2,500-seat Newcastle Town Hall on Thursday 24 September 2015 and will go on through to the middle of October playing at Manchester, Liverpool, London,
Nottingham and many more locations and the Channel 5 reality show kicks off in the middle of preparations for the live extravaganza.
A source close to Gest said: "He is a big fan of ‘CBB’ producer and MD of Initial (which is part of Endemol) Nick Samwell-Smith
and would relish the chance to work with him. Gest has followed Samwell-Smith’s career and is very impressed with the shows he created and produced for the BBC and ITV over the last 10 years. He really respects how Channel 5 has brought ‘Big Brother’ back to the top of the reality TV genre and loves the job Emma Willis is doing as host."
Gest is right in the middle of preparations for his tour which sees him host an evening with an array of soul legends.
The performers include legendary Righteous Brother Bill Medley – who is on his first ever UK tour and whose British chart toppers include ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’, ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’ and ‘Unchained Melody’ – Three Degrees former lead singer Sheila Ferguson, ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’ songstress Deniece Williams, Atlantic Starr’s lead singer Barbara Weathers, ‘Me and Mrs Jones’ Philadelphia legend Billy Paul, ‘Band of Gold’ hitmaker Freda Payne, ‘Shake You Down’ singer Gregory Abbott and The Tymes.
However, Gest is very keen to go into the ‘CBB’ house and is being urged to do so by his celebrity friends Kym Marsh and Kerry Katona.
A source close to Gest said: "He’s interested in the offer and knows he would be a popular with housemates and viewers. His close friend Kym really wants him to do it and Kerry – another good pal of Gest’s – thinks he could be crowned the winner of the show."
The producer won a legion of British fans when he appeared on ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2006 with his quirky antics and hilarious stories about his off-the-wall relatives and tales of his friendships with Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
He’s wanted by ‘CBB’ bosses to be part of the next season’s UK versus US theme.
Names already confirmed include former model Janice Dickinson and Teen Mom star turned porn actress Farrah Abraham.
The source added: "David may be the only one who could control
Janice Dickinson’s hair triggered temper and foul mouthed outbursts. Just as he did with his fellow campmates in the jungle, Gest can defuse arguments with his quirky sense of humour and calm nature."
Tour could keep David Gest off Celebrity Big Brother
