NORTH-EAST Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan survived foranother week in the show after viewers overwhelmingly votedto oust body builder Lee Davey last night.

The escape for the 29-year-old firefighter from Trimdon,County Durham, came as the makers of the show warned of apossible betting scam linked to the voting process.

Speaking outside the Big Brother house after last night'svote - which saw 84 per cent of voters seal Lee's exit -Jonny's girlfriend Joanne Llewellyn thanked readers of TheNorthern Echo for their support.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted that he's staying. I'vejust managed to stop the tears."

The show's makers warned that e-mails offering anythingfrom free holidays to free sex are circulating in a bid totrick people into ringing supposed claim lines, only tofind they have called the show's eviction line for aparticular contestant.

Earlier this week, Ladbrokes refused to take any more betson Lee after thousands of bets were placed on him beingkicked out before the nominations were known.

And last week, Coral stopped taking bets after a rush ofwagers saw the odds on Alison being evicted drop, from 8-1to 2-1.

Programme makers last night urged viewers to be vigilant. Aspokesman said: "If it sounds too good to be true then itprobably is."

Growing unhappiness among the Big Brother housemates,together with the e-mail scams, yesterday promptedbookmakers to invite bets on the show finishing early.

* Anyone receiving bogus e-mails that could be linked to aBig Brother betting scam can forward them to The NorthernEcho at newsdesk@nne.co.uk or phone (01325) 505333.