Former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Nicola McClean has revelaed contestants have it written into their contracts they aren't allowed to spend their days sleeping on the ITV show. The 43-year-old mum of two appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and again in 2017 as an All Star. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk she reflected on the current crop of celebrities who have entered the famous house. "I think Mickey Rourke could stand out. I hope he doesn't sleep too much...You're not allowed to. It's in your contract. You're not allowed to sleep during the day," she said.

The star also confessed the producers go out of their way to ensure the celebrities in the house feel tired all the time. "When you're in there you don't have a watch or anything, but you're up really early. You don't get much sleep in there, because they wake you up (early) in the morning as well. So you are tired in there, and then you're not allowed to sleep during the day. They do really mess with your emotions," she said.

Nicola, who was speaking on behalf of WhichBingo, made her observations about Mickey prior to him receiving warnings from Big Brother about being homophobic.

Nicola also admitted she found the Big Brother experience more difficult than ther time on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.

"(In terms of physical toll), obviously the jungle (is harder), because you're not eating, you're starving. So your body is is worn down.

"But mentally, Big Brother is the hardest thing I've ever done. 100%. It's so anxiety inducing, not knowing what's going on (outside).

"Not knowing if Big Brother's going to call you. Not knowing if there's going to be an eviction. You never know what you're doing," she said.

"And for someone who's diagnosed with anxiety disorders that's  probably not the best place for me, although I loved it.

"This is not me saying that I didn't love it but I like to plan. I wake up in the morning, I say to my husband, what are we doing next?

"My neurodiversity makes me (plan things). I write lists. I like to know what I'm doing.

"So to be in a place where every part, every bit of control, is taken away from you, is really, really, tricky mentally," she said.

Nicola McClean was speaking on behalf of WhichBingo.