Charlie Drummond was described on last night's launch programme for BB10 as being from Newcastle - but the Gazette can reveal he is from Cleadon.

The 22-year-old, who won the Newcastle heat of Mr Gay UK in 2007, has worked as a model, though he is now a customer service adviser for the JobCentre, which he says he loves.

He says his favourite part of his job is walking into the office in the morning and saying "Good morning angels" to his colleagues, who reply "Good morning Charlie".

A huge Big Brother fan, Charlie thinks he has a good chance of winning, as he thinks the public will keep him in the house as it would be dull with out him.

He says he has no game plan, and just wants to be himself in the house.

When he was younger he dreamed of being a pop star and wanted to be in a boy band, and says he was always the centre of attention at school.

Even now people think he is a show off, he says, and admits to a love of podium dancing on nights out.

As a child he left his pet frogs Freddie and Eddie outside one night, causing them to freeze.

He tried to thaw them out with a hairdryer and now has a phobia of the amphibians.

Charlie and his fellow contestants have been adjusting to life in a house stripped of all creature comforts.

The 16 - including a former rock star, two glamour models, an Oxford University graduate who lives in a stately home, and a virgin - were shocked to discover their spartan living arrangements last night.

Instead of enjoying designer sofas and a glamorous lifestyle, they will spend their first days living in one room, with only cold porridge to eat.

Within minutes of entering the house they were told they were not real housemates, and would have to earn their status to remain in the house.

Those who fail or refuse a task will be left to the mercy of the public, who will decide if they should be granted housemate status.

On Sunday, any participants who have not been made into "proper" housemates will be met by host Davina McCall as they are booted out live from the house.

The wannabes were told to open a crate in the garden and change into the non-housemate uniform, which they must wear until they gain housemate status.

* Don't miss tonight's Shields Gazette for the story of Charlie Drummond's secret family heartache.