Self-made millionaire Gary Goldsmith is set to become Celebrity Big Brother’s most controversial entrant.
Carole Middleton’s brother made his ITV debut on Monday night but Princess Kate’s uncle’s appearance will likely be met with concern from the royal family’s already overloaded PR team.
It has been a difficult 12 months for the “The Firm” and more recently King Charles’s cancer diagnosis as well as the Princess of Wales taking some time out of her royal duties following abdominal surgery.
PR expert Carla Speight likened Gary’s Big Brother appearance to that of Paul Burrell, the former butler of the late Princess Diana, and suggested while the 58-year-old may make “great television”, Kate should be concerned.
“I think Kate’s worried and she should be – about what he is going to say,” she exclusively told Express.co.uk.
She continued: “He has got the potential to do her the world of good or bring the House of Windsor crashing down.
“I know everyone can’t wait to see what he does. He is going to make for great television.”
In an interview with the Sun, he said “the last thing” he wanted his appearance on the reality TV show to do was “bring any stress to” the family.
The expert suggested his Big Brother appearance would be of no benefit to the royals and added it was “poor timing” for him to seek fame.
In Monday’s launch episode, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne were tasked with watching their fellow contestants and rating them from a secret lair.
The pair nominated three housemates to be “in danger” of facing a public vote, based on first impressions.
They chose Gary, David Potts and Zeze Millz – and when asked for their reasoning, Louis replied: “We didn’t like them”.
The PR expert said Sharon and Louis made a strategic move that could potentially “force Gary’s hand” to spill on the royals sooner rather than later.
“Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh picked those three purposefully,” she said. “I think they have picked Gary because it will force his hand and he will have to spill the tea quickly.”
In scenes set to air tonight, Gary will be quizzed about his royal connections by Louis, as he told him: “It’s difficult to get hold of Kate at the best of times, and she’s got children and I love the fact that she’s putting family first.”
He also said that he believes Princess Kate and her husband, Prince William will be “the saviour of the royal family”.
Elsewhere, the conversation turned to Meghan Markle, but Gary’s verdict on the Duchess of Sussex has not been revealed.
Celebrity Big Brother airs tonight on ITV at 9pm
