There's an early viewer favourite for Celebrity Big Brother – even though many think she's not actually a 'celebrity'
Maggie Oliver is a former detective who worked on the Rochdale sex grooming case
Maggie Oliver is perhaps an unlikely reality TV contestant to enter Celebrity Big Brother 2017.
She is the detective who worked on the Rochdale sex grooming case and resigned from Greater Manchester Police claiming that the force had failed the victims.
Now she's part of the all-female line-up entering the Big Brother house – and has already garnered quite the following online.
- Who is Maggie Oliver? Celebrity Big Brother 2018 contestant profile
- Who is going into the Celebrity Big Brother house?
- John Barnes is first man CONFIRMED for Celebrity Big Brother line-up
On entering the house, Oliver revealed to host Emma Willis that she has written a letter to the Rochdale girls who she encouraged to speak out, explaining her decision to appear on Celebrity Big Brother.
“The last thing I want is for the girls to feel let down by me,” she said. “I’ve written each of them each a letter. So girls, you’ll be getting a letter from me tomorrow morning.”
Many fans – including CBB presenter Rylan Clark-Neal – have voiced their support for Oliver entering the house, with many believing she's the only contestant who lives up to this year's female empowerment theme.
https://twitter.com/Rylan/status/948356839699251200
https://twitter.com/Karl_Downey/status/948312306739499008
https://twitter.com/JessCiara/status/948312065344667648
https://twitter.com/Helen_Wood86/status/948312107006726145
https://twitter.com/hannahellenW/status/948312009577304065
https://twitter.com/NicolaMcLean/status/948311709055365120
https://twitter.com/jakwall_/status/948350053474816002
A few people, however, aren’t convinced that the former detective is a proper celebrity.
https://twitter.com/JohnnySeifert/status/948311608274636800
https://twitter.com/OfficialConor/status/948311712041721856
https://twitter.com/AmberZoe12/status/948312016258727936
Former DC Oliver was played by Lesley Sharp in the critically acclaimed BBC1 drama Three Girls in 2017, but she's not the first person who worked with the Rochdale victims to appear on reality TV.
Last year, sexual health worker Sara Rowbotham (played by Maxine Peake in Three Girls) was on First Dates looking for love.
Joining Oliver in the all-female roster to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house on Tuesday night were Anne Widecombe, Malika Haqq, Rachel Johnson, Ashley James, India Willoughby, Jess Impiazzi and Amanda Barrie.