Celebrity Big Brother contestant Saira Khan has been unwittingly saved from eviction by “secret boss” Christopher Biggins.

After 15 celebrities entered the house on Thursday evening, members of the public were asked to vote for a “secret boss” who would be given “special powers” including the chance to nominate a fellow contestant for eviction.

Christopher Biggins was picked as secret boss
Christopher Biggins was picked as secret boss (Channel 5)

Pantomime veteran “Biggins” won Thursday’s vote, but what he did not realise was that all the other contestants, including former EastEnders star Ricky Norwood, reality star Marnie Simpson and X Factor reject Katie Waissel, were in on the joke.

Big Brother told everyone else that whoever Biggins picked would, in fact, be immune from eviction.

Loose Women panellist Saira was the most successful at persuading the actor to nominate her, telling him that she did not think she could “last in the house” and that she was missing her two children.

Saira Khan is playing the game
Saira Khan is playing the game (Channel 5)

He went on to nominate her with a kiss on the lips, as instructed by Big Brother – not knowing that he was earning her immunity.

After the announcement, Saira, 46, told some of her housemates that she was playing the game, with Storage Hunters star Heavy D telling her she had “been genius”.

Geordie Shore star Marnie Simpson started her time in the house by complimenting both Grant Bovey and Lewis Bloor.

Marnie Simpson on her way into the house
Marnie Simpson on her way into the house (Ian West/PA)

She told Anthea Turner’s ex-husband, Grant: “You’re sexy for 55!” and later told The Only Way Is Essex’s Lewis that the beauty spot on his nose is “very cute”.

Marnie had boasted before entering the house that she had the “best-looking vagina in the whole of Newcastle” and was “definitely after some fun”.

Other celebrities to enter the house on Thursday included Broadway star and Ariana Grande’s brother Frankie Grande, Mob Wives star Renee Graziano, broadcaster James Whale, former Danity Kane singer Aubrey O’Day, Ex On The Beach star Stephen Bear, X Factor reject Chloe Khan, and former glamour model Samantha Fox.

The new cohort of Celebrity Big Brother house mates
The new cohort of Celebrity Big Brother housemates (Channel 5)

Celebrity Big Brother airs on Channel 5 at 9pm.