Former EastEnders star and ex-Celebrity Big Brother housemate – who for me was one of the legends of CBB – Natalie Cassidy has revealed in her magazine blog that she’s loving this year’s line up of celebs.

And of course, this series’ crop of housemates includes two former EastEnders stars, Cheryl Fergison and Martin Kemp, and judging by what Natalie wrote in Reveal about Martin, she has as big a crush on him as I do!

She wrote, “My highlight of the evening was of course Martin Kemp going into the house!!

“I sat and watched and nearly cried. He is an amazing man.”

He certainly is, because quite aside from being awesome older woman fantasy fodder, he’s also survived two potentially life threatening brain tumours…

However of how all the newbies had coped on the very first night, when of course Cheryl and Julie were given a secret task, Natalie said, “They did brilliantly. The nerves and feelings you feel going in and being given a task like that to do, it’s unbelievably nerve-wracking.

“It brought back some memories watching [it].”

Natalie added, “I cannot believe the line up! Seriously, I thought my house was good back in January, but last night blew me away!!

“Firstly we had Julie Goodyear. What an amazing housemate. I have heard on the grapevine over the years that she might be a bit of a diva so that should be interesting!

“Julian Clary is a fabulous guy. Will he cut it within the house? I hope so – he’s a genius in the comedy world.

“I see him ridiculing everyone for being thick!”

And finally, she said, “The rest of the housemates are ace so life for the next two weeks is definitely set up to suit this mad but brilliant show!”

I have to agree with Natalie; within minutes of the housemates arriving this year, it just felt like the show had that certain something that promises top notch viewing alchemy.

Are you enjoying it so far?