And today his devoted grandmother Sarah Smith, spoke exclusively to the Gazette about the 22-year-old's secret heartache behind his decision to enter the TV reality show.

The 78-year-old said: "Just over two years ago, his mum Sharon had a severe aneurism.

"She can no longer communicate or walk, the doctors have said it will be at least three years before her brain will be able to recover – but miracles do happen.

"Charles has been through an awful lot of trauma these last few years, and there's nobody more deserving than him to be in that house.

"His mam will be so proud of him, we all are, he's a right character, I'm hoping she'll be able to recognise him if she sees him on the television."

Mrs Smith, from Whitburn, describes her grandson as her 'butterfly', and he often helps her around the house.

She said: "I call him my 'butterfly' because he's the wind beneath my wings, his heart is as nice as his face.

"He'll do my dishes, help change the bed sheets and he's even helped decorate."

Charlie, from Cleadon Village, entered the house last night to a rapturous applause from crowds.

The customer service advisor, a former Boldon School pupil, believes he has a good chance of winning the show, which is now in its 10th series, as he's a "nice guy".

But cruelly, the chatterbox, who the Gazette first met last year in the queue for BB9 auditions at St James's Park in Newcastle, isn't officially a housemate yet.

He and 15 of his other bedfellows, have to compete a set of challenging tasks or rely on the public vote on Sunday to stay in.

So far, only two contestants have secured a place.

However, his gran – who he calls 'ma-ma' and knew he was going into the house two weeks ago – believes he's sure to get a place.

She said: "I think everyone will like him, there's nothing not to like, he's a very genuine person and extremely likeable, he's a whirlwind."

She added: "I'm already hooked, I watched him none-stop last night, then I realised I could turn the channel over when it finished on Channel 4 and I watched him until the early hours of this morning."

* For updates on Charlie's progress, log on to www.shieldsgazette.com or get a copy of your Gazette.