Former Detective Constable Maggie Oliver joins Celebrity Big Brother

Margaret Oliver when she was a serving officer with Greater Manchester Police

Former detective constable Margaret ‘Maggie’ Oliver, who played an integral role in bringing about the prosecution of a Rochdale grooming gang, has become an unlikely housemate in the Celebrity Big Brother House this year.

The mum of four joined the police force in 1997 as a detective and family liaison officer working on major murders. The ex-officer later left the service following its handling of the sex abuse scandal, which saw nine men convicted after targeting vulnerable girls in Rochdale and Heywood.

All of the victims were under-age white British girls, and accusations were made that the authorities had failed to thoroughly investigate the issue amid fears of being accused of racism.

She was portrayed by Leslie Sharp in the 2016 BBC drama ‘Three Girls’, which is based on the true stories of young victims of sexual abuse.

The latest series of the reality show marks the 100th anniversary of women receiving the vote in the UK and so far only features female housemates.

Celebrity Big Brother airs on Channel 5 at 9pm.