Sir Cliff RichardCelebrity Big Brother returns in January 2009 after a year’s sabbatical, apparently bringing with it Bachelor Boy Cliff Richard.

The Peter Pan of Pop is rumoured to be in secret talks about appearing on the show.

The British singer has often been put in the spotlight over his singledom and sexuality, but to date he’s never been happy to talk about it much.

Sir Cliff has said: "What business is it of anyone else’s what any of us are as individuals? I don’t think my fans would care either way."

He is however very supportive of same-sex marriage and thinks the Church of England should: "update its views".

According to reports in the Daily Star it appears BB bosses are hoping that Cliff might be more open to talk about his private life on the show and put all the gossip to bed.

We reckon that after six decades in the spotlight he’s had ample opportunity to air his views, should he have wanted to.

Other recent rumours also saw MP Lembit Opik in the running for the show, rumours he was quick to deny.

Channel 4 need to claw back ratings after recent CBB mishaps; the replacement for the show in 2008, Celebrity Big Brother Hijack, was a ratings nightmare for the channel’s flagship show brand, and in 2007 the huge race row controversy, involving Shilpa Shetty and Jade Goody, made headlines across the world.

Other celebs rumoured on be appearing on the 2009 show include US soul diva Whitney Houston and UK former Sugababe Mutya Buena.