Celebrity Big Brother: John Barnes leaves the show in surprise backdoor eviction

Jan 22 2018
Written by Jess Glass

(Photo: Channel 5)

John Barnes has become the fourth contestant to leave Celebrity Big Brother after a surprise eviction this week.

Housemates were told last week that they would have to nominate four housemates for a surprise backdoor eviction and would be divided back into teams of men vs women.

After a series of challenges between the men and women, the women’s team won the power to save their two nominated housemates, saving Ann Widdecombe and Amanda Barrie from eviction.

Malika Haqq and Ashley James win a challenge (Photo: Channel 5)

This left John Barnes and Daniel O’Reilly to face the backdoor eviction.

At the end of Monday’s episode, John was evicted by a highly deliberated but unanimous decision by the women.

When asked for their reasoning behind their decision, the women said that John ‘could take’ an eviction.

Housemate Malika Haqq said: “The reason for that is because John can take this and we know that John will go on and do great things.

“We believe that Daniel still deserves a shot at winning Celebrity Big Brother.”

The women decide who to nominate for eviction (Photo: Channel 5)

As the eviction was a surprise backdoor eviction, John was evicted without the use of a public vote.

John caused controversy during his time in the house after he made comments about gay men that many deemed homophobic.

During Saturday’s episode, Shane -the given name of Courtney Act- addressed some remarks made by John about their relationship with Andrew Brady.

John had previously said that Andrew would be ‘out of the club’ if anything sexual happened between the pair.

“If anything happened in that room he’s out of the club. If anything happens in the room, Andrew’s out of the club. He’s not in my club if anything happens,” he said.

(Photo: Channel 5)

After being challenged by Shane, he then continued: “Everything I’ve been saying here has been a product of my environment. Things we know to be wrong, we can’t help thinking that.

“Whilst I know it’s wrong, I do know that possibly that would be that things are.

“I know that I should not be that way but I’m 54 years old, I cant just think that naturally,” he said.

(Photo: Channel 5)

The family and friends of the 54-year-old responded this weekend through a statement on his Twitter account.

The statement read: “It seems quite clear to us from the discussion as presented on the show that John is not offering the statements as reflections of his own feelings but as an explanation (but not justification) of the mentality that can cause some straight men to hold homophobic beliefs.

“Anyone who has seen John speak will know that he is not one for soundbites but prefers nuanced and detailed discussion, which of course can leave one vulnerable in the TV editing process.”