Just call me Big Sister

After only 48 hours in the Big Brother house, the laugh-a-minute firefighter is already proving a favourite with the millions of viewers who tune in to the hit show.

But fans may have to avert their eyes when he gets into the swimming pool, if his previous antics are anything to go by.

Two years ago, Jonny, whose full name is Jonathan, was pictured with brother-in-law Stephen Ball, 32, dressed in a bikini and tiny sarong while on holiday in Turkey.

Stephen, who is married to Jonny's sister, Joanne, 25, a dental nurse, said the firefighter - who lives in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, with his parents, John and Margaret - was well-known for being an extrovert and his antics would make him popular within the Big Brother house.

Stephen said the pair had dressed up in bikinis while on holiday with their girlfriends.

He said: "There was a fun night where we had to dress up as women, so it just seemed to be a good laugh really. Jonathan is always dressing up.

"A few years ago, we dressed up in big wigs and ball gowns as pantomime dames and every year we dress up for Christmas Eve, just for a laugh.

"We go out together most weekends and he's always game for a laugh. There's no limit to the things he will do."

He expected that Jonny would do well in the televised contest.

"He has loads of friends and he's a really well liked lad who will do anything for anybody," he said.

"He has always wanted to do something like this. He loves being in the limelight and being the centre of attention.

"Jonny will get on with anybody, he's just not the type to argue. He's very placid and easy-going."

Already, it seems Jonny is set for a long run in the spotlight.

The bookies have slashed the odds of the man the tabloids have dubbed The Geordie Joker winning the £70,000 prize down to 10-1 after his first few days in the house.

Viewers of the show have already had an early glimpse of his laddish ways within hours of entering the house - drinking with his new housemates before retiring to bed after dawn.

On Saturday, he joked about breaking wind and sex, then said the housemates should spend less on fruit and more on booze.

But his down-to-earth approach won friends among the audience and by last night he had established himself as the fifth favourite housemate in the unofficial poll on Channel Four's website.

The 29-year-old, who has performed before Tony Blair and Prince William with his band, Reagan, has worked for Durham County Fire Brigade since 1991 after joining at the age of 18. He is stationed at Peterlee fire station, County Durham.

Jonny was given unpaid time off by the brigade to take part in the show.

Watch commander at Peterlee fire station, Ken Carr, said: "He's a really really good lad and a very popular bloke, always game for a laugh.

"He's a real extrovert and loves playing pranks on people. He would do things like putting eggs in your fire boots or you would put your helmet on to find it full of flour.

"Sometimes he would disguise his voice on the phone to pretend to be someone else - including the girls at control room - and pull a prank on us.

"He is always up for a laugh.

"He likes nothing better than to dress up in '70s gear when he goes out, the full monty - wigs, flares, the lot. He's always the centre of attention."

Neighbour Mary Merifield said: "I hope that Jonathan does really well on it.

"He is a really nice lad, really lovely, and so are his family - they would do anything for you."

Jonny's fiancee, Joanne Llewellyn, 30, from Hartlepool went to the London studio to watch her partner of seven years enter the Big Brother house.

Close friend and fellow firefighter Sean Knapp said: "He's the heart and soul of this place, a cracking lad.

"We were all watching him go in, though we got called to a fire earlier in the night.

He joked: "We probably put it out 20 minutes quicker than we normally would, just to get back and see him.