Celebrity Big Brother bosses have broken a strict show rule to inform one housemate they have been nominated for a major award, causing them to breakdown in tears.

American actress Marisha Wallace, 38, is up for Best Actress in a musical at the Olivier Awards, but so far has been kept in the dark about earning the recognition, which is highly sought after in her field.

On Thursday night’s episode, Marisha is overcome with emotion as she is finally told the news, with the rest of her co-stars congratulating her on the achievement.

Before the show’s most dramatic nominations, where housemates have to vote face to face, Big Brother transforms the garden into a funfair and Marisha plays her hand at the wheel of fortune machine, which reveals: ‘There are exciting things ahead, on Sunday 14th April, you will be sitting at the Olivier Awards as a nominee.’

The rules of the show state that celebrities must not have any contact with the outside world, but a TV source told MailOnline they felt Marisha’s OIivier nomination was too special to keep secret.
Celebrity Big Brother bosses have broken a strict show rule to inform one housemate they have been nominated for a major award, causing them to breakdown in tears
+8
View gallery

Celebrity Big Brother bosses have broken a strict show rule to inform one housemate they have been nominated for a major award, causing them to breakdown in tears

American actress Marisha Wallace is up for Best Actress in a musical at the Olivier Awards, but so far has been kept in the dark about earning the recognition
+8
View gallery

American actress Marisha Wallace is up for Best Actress in a musical at the Olivier Awards, but so far has been kept in the dark about earning the recognition

Marisha is nominated for her role in Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre but faces competition from Nicole Scherzinger, who has been recognised in the same category
+8
View gallery

Marisha is nominated for her role in Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre but faces competition from Nicole Scherzinger, who has been recognised in the same category

A show insider said: ‘Producers decided to give Marisha a message about her OIivier Award nomination.

‘It is a big moment in her life and now she will never forget how she found out, surrounded by her co-stars in the Celebrity Big Brother house. She was taken aback from the news and truly overcome with emotion.’

Marisha is nominated in the Best Actress in a Musical category for her role in Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre.

She faces competition from Nicole Scherzinger, 45, who has been recognised following her performance for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre.

The theatre star’s nomination comes after her housemate Louis Walsh claimed she needed ‘a few more years’ before being voted for a Tony Award, insisting his former X Factor colleague Nicole was more deserving of the accolade.

When evicted housemate Gary Goldsmith asked whether Marisha could be nominated for a Tony this year, Louis replied: ‘In time… she needs a few more years, this is Nicole’s year.’

Viewers can expect one of the show’s most dramatic episodes on Thursday night after housemates are made to nominated face to face.

As the funfair comes to an end, Fern Britton picks out a tombola ticket, which reads: ‘Housemates the fun at the funfair is over, it is now time to nominate at the kissing booth.’

On Thursday night's episode, Marisha is overcome with emotion as she is finally told the news
+8

View gallery

On Thursday night’s episode, Marisha is overcome with emotion as she is finally told the news

Marisha's co-stars congratulate her on the achievement before being forced to nominate each other face to face as the show's most dramatic episode gets underway
+8
View gallery

Marisha’s co-stars congratulate her on the achievement before being forced to nominate each other face to face as the show’s most dramatic episode gets underway

The theatre star's nomination comes after her housemate Louis Walsh claimed she needed 'a few more years' before being voted for a Tony Award
+8
View gallery

The theatre star’s nomination comes after her housemate Louis Walsh claimed she needed ‘a few more years’ before being voted for a Tony Award

Usually, celebrities nominate in private speaking within the confines of the Diary Room but in an explosive twist, they tell each other how they feel in person, causing bitter fallouts
+8
View gallery

Usually, celebrities nominate in private speaking within the confines of the Diary Room but in an explosive twist, they tell each other how they feel in person, causing bitter fallouts

Usually, celebrities nominate in private speaking within the confines of the Diary Room but in an explosive twist, they tell each other how they feel in person, causing bitter fallouts.

Former Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu brands one of her co-stars ‘fake’, saying she predicted their judgement towards her because of the show she found fame on.

Tensions between Fern and Ekin have been rising after the former This Morning presenter questioned whether the reality star makes money from OnlyFans or posts bikini photos on her Instagram to increase her following.

She said: ‘I knew this was gonna happen, this judging me because I’ve been on a show before. You’ve been close to me this whole time, so you’ve been fake with me this whole time.’

Five housemates face the public vote ahead of Friday’s elimination, which will see two celebrities booted out of the competition.