THE girlfriend of Big Brother contestant Jonny Regan has called for people in the North-East to rally round and not vote for her boyfriend to be evicted from the house.

The 29-year-old firefighter from Trimdon, in County Durham, has been nominated for eviction from the television show along with Lee Davey, who also voted for him to go.

The pair, both on the rich side of the divided household, each landed five votes and viewers will vote on who gets the boot tomorrow.

Jonny's girlfriend, 30-year-old Joanne Llewellyn, said: "I had a feeling this would happen, especially with him ending up on the rich side of the house.

"I think a person like Sandy has a serious game plan and is very devious the way he works around people. The fact that Jonny is so open and frank may have been his downfall.

"Hopefully, people in the North-East will rally to Jonny's cause and stop him getting kicked out. It would be a terrible shame if he lost out so early on."

Joanne, an accountant who works in Hartlepool, said: "I thought he might be up against Sandy. Jonny and Lee have completely different characters.''

Tomorrow night's eviction will be the third of the series.

The housemate chosen to leave will be told of their impending departure from the house during the 8.30pm live show, giving them just over an hour to pack their bags and say their goodbyes.

Voting lines are now open and will close at 8.35pm tomorrow.

In a new-found spirit of solidarity, none of the five on the poor side voted for each other, directing their attentions to the others who are living in luxury.

Adele, Alex and Spencer Smith each voted for both Lee and Jonny. Even if he does lose out, Jonny won't be the first contestant to leave this week.

Sandy staged a dramatic escape bid from the house after saying he was bored with the experience.

Married Sandy, a personal shopper and stylist, had been due to leave by the back door at 7pm last night but he fled in the early morning hours, ahead of schedule.

A spokesman for the Channel 4 show said: ''He made his decision to leave and arrangements were put in place.

''However, it seems at some point he climbed on to the roof and indicated he was not prepared to stay any longer.

''He is now with the production team, while we decide what to do with him.''

The Scottish-born Londoner, who spent 14 years in the Army before becoming a personal shopper, had told his confidant Alex Sibley that he had made up his mind to go.