A CAREER in showbusiness beckons for Big Brother's Jonny Regan, who has landed a role in pantomime.

The 29-year-old, from Trimdon Station, County Durham, is returning to the jokey ways that made him so popular on the Channel 4 show.

A firefighter in Peterlee, Durham, he is to become Jonny the Genie in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, it was announced last night.

He will star alongside seasoned professionals John "I'm Free" Inman and Stu "Crush a Grape" Francis in the Christmas production.

Jonny is already well known for his comic antics. On Big Brother 3, he kept viewers entertained with his slapstick humour and his chicken dance.

Last night, Jonny said he was looking forward to his new role.

He said: "I am dead excited. It is going to be a hoot, a really good laugh. "I have been told that it is not going to be a cheesy production. They have got a really top cast.

"I have never done anything like this before. I am quite confident that I will be good at it. I am going to go on stage and enjoy myself.

"I am sure the kids will come along and have a good laugh at me.

"I am looking forward to working alongside John Inman too. He is an old-school professional."

Jonny will start rehearsing for his role in November before he takes to the stage from December 9. Aladdin will run until January 19.

Theatre Royal general manager Peter Sarah said: "We are all very excited to have Jonny in the Aladdin cast. I know the whole country took him into their hearts during Big Brother this summer and I'm sure he'll be just as popular at the Theatre Royal."

Jonny is keeping busy following his Big Brother experience.

Next week, he is attending a meeting with a music agent who looks after the Lighthouse Family, and Universal records has also asked to hear a demo recording from his band, Reagan.