In a shocking twist on Friday's instalment of Celebrity Big Brother, Angie Best was evicted, Austin Armacost was voted the dullest housemate and asked to leave and three new stars went into the house.

One of the three was Jessica Cunningham, the larger-than-life candidate from the most recent season of The Apprentice.

But it transpires that the 29-year-old wannabe entrepreneur ducked out of a prior commitment to appear on another show at the very last minute, and feigned illness to do so.

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Ducking out: Jessica Cunningham 'pretended she was sick' in order to ditch an online chat show deal at the last minute to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house

Having collaborated with Simon Gross from 2015's season of civilian Big Brother to launch a new online chat show titled The Showbiz Show, Simon was left red faced when Jessica pulled out of a filming session at the last minute.

The series was due to shoot a pilot episode on Friday with the studio booked and ready when Jessica reportedly called in sick.

Hours later, the Derbyshire-based mother-of-three suddenly appeared on the current season of Celebrity Big Brother, entering the house as a new surprise contestant, alongside Kim Woodburn and Chloe Ferry.

High and dry: Having collaborated with Simon Gross from 2015's season of civilian Big Brother to launch a new online chat show titled The Showbiz Show, Simon was left red faced when Jessica pulled out of a filming session at the last minute

A source close to the production team said: 'All arrangements were made and guests booked.

'For her to pull out without an explanation and citing “sickness” is unfair and unprofessional.'

Elaborating further, the source said: 'A lot of time and money has gone into putting the programme together, for Jessica to pull out so recklessly and at such short notice caused shock-waves throughout the production team.

'As it stands filming has been rescheduled for Monday.'

Abandoning ship: A source close to the production team said - 'All arrangements were made and guests booked'

Plugging it: Jessica's second-to-last Instagram post before she materialised on CBB was of her promoting The Showbiz Show, presumably meant for a promo

Jessica's second-to-last Instagram post before she materialised on CBB was of her promoting The Showbiz Show, presumably meant for a teaser video.

Even the artwork for the series had been mocked up, with a photo of her included as co-host.

'The team had even advertised her as hosting the programme and had begun marketing and promotion,' the source went on. 'It is a real shame but we all know deep down that Jessica wants to do CBB and will do well from it.'

Surprise entry: In a shocking twist on Friday's instalment of Celebrity Big Brother, three new stars went into the house

New faces: One of the three was Jessica Cunningham, the larger-than-life candidate from the most recent season of The Apprentice

The apparent desire to host a chat show, and now the appearance on Big Brother, seems to contradict Jessica's previous claims that she is interested in propelling her fashion business rather than gaining celebrity status.

But even before she appeared on The Apprentice she had been reported to have friends from The Only Way Is Essex.

A spokesperson for aspiring talk show host Simon seemed to convey that he was accepting the news graciously, despite the sudden hiccup.

Wasted: Even the artwork for the series had been mocked up, with a photo of her included as co-host

Left in the lurch: A spokesperson for aspiring talk show host Simon seemed to convey that he was accepting the news gracously, despite the sudden speed bump

Businesswoman: The apparent desire to host a chat show, and now the appearance on Big Brother, seems to contradict Jessica's previous claims that she is interested in propelling her fashion business rather than gaining celebrity status

They said: 'Simon was disappointed to have been let down at the last minute, but wishes Jessica the best of luck with CBB and knows her star will shine.

'Simon handpicked her to co-host the programme with him and is pleased that CBB have spotted her talent and hopes he will join her on the programme when she has finished the show.'

Simon is set to film the pilot alone on Monday, with Gogglebox and former CBB housemate George Gilbey booked as the first guest.