Overview

• George Gilbert, a 23-year-old parish councillor from Finchingfield in Essex, entered the house on Tuesday as one of four late arrivals tasked with shaking up dynamics and helping decide the next eviction.
• Fans shared screenshots on Reddit that they say show Gilbert’s profiles for acting, extra and modeling work, citing credits that include the Downton Abbey movie and Apple TV+ series The Essex Serpent.
• The social-media findings fueled claims from some viewers that the casting could be a fix or favored industry-connected entrants, with no confirmation or response from ITV reported in the articles.
• In his on-show introduction, Gilbert said he has worked as an Ed Sheeran stand-in and keeps a single strand of the singer’s hair as a keepsake.
• Reaction online also focused on his age, with many viewers expressing surprise that the councillor is only 23.