Shetland pony becomes internet hit after appearing on Celebrity Big Brother with TOWIE star
A Shetland pony has become an overnight star after a cameo on Celebrity Big Brother.
The diminutive equine, named Tony, was brought to the Big Brother house as a treat for Gemma Collins’ 35th birthday yesterday (Monday, 1 February).
The long-standing The Only Way Is Essex cast member was allowed 15 minutes in the garden with the Shetland, who sported a sparkly headcollar for the occassion.
Gemma, who is up for eviction tonight, gave Tony a groom and fed him some carrots before taking him for a quick trot in-hand.
“I so want to get a Shetland pony just to take around Essex,” she said.
The clip sparked a Twitterstorm, with hundreds of viewers tweeting about their love for Tony.
The hashtag #TonyThePony was also trending on the social media site.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
There's no making a foal out of #TonyThePony. What a superstar. Lucky, lucky @missgemcollins. ✨ #CBB pic.twitter.com/xXOe4Byu2lThere's no making a foal out of #TonyThePony. What a superstar. Lucky, lucky @missgemcollins. ✨ #CBB pic.twitter.com/xXOe4Byu2l— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) February 1, 2016— Big Brother UK (@bbuk) February 1, 2016
Fellow housemate, Scotty T, of Geordie Shore fame, said that it looked as if both Tony and Gemma had been given the same blow dry.
Viewers have also joked that they are voting for Tony to win the Channel 5 reality television show, which ends on Friday (5 February).
“Give it up for #TonyThePony! Tony to win?,” tweeted the official Big Brother UK Twitter account.
This is not the first time that TOWIE cast members have enjoyed some equestrian action.
Chelmsford Riding School had a taste of showbiz in November when model Chloe Lewis and footballer Jake Hall arrived for a riding lesson.
The pair were joined by friends Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet, who also appear on the ITVBe show.
The stars posed with equestrian centre staff for photos and shared pictures of their new equine friends across Twitter and Instagram.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
