Ulrika 'paid £175k for Celeb BB'

Ulrika Jonsson is reportedly being paid £175,000 to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The Swedish television presenter's giant paycheque will make her the highest paid star on the show, reports Sky News Online.

"I think its down to how good your agent is at bargaining and how much you're worth," Heat magazine's news editor Hannah Fernando told the channel. "They know Ulrika will be worth every penny and could make for explosive TV."

Show bosses have refused to officially confirm any of the contestants before tonight's live kick-off, but other names linked to the series include glamour model Lucy Pinder, Austin Powers star Verne Troyer and La Toya Jackson.

Pinder would reportedly earn around £150,000 for her stint on the show, while other rumoured contestants, former Sugababe Mutya Buena and former A1 singer Ben Adams, could earn around £60,000 and £20,000 respectively.

Fernando speculated that the massive salary differences could "put the cat among the pigeons" when the contestants enter the house.

Celebrity Big Brother kicks off on Channel 4 tonight.