FIREFIGHTER Jonathan Regan's life may never be the same.

The 29-year-old part-time singer walked through the doors of Channel Four's Big Brother house last night to star in one of TV's most successful shows of all time.

He beat thousands of hopefuls from across the UK to win a coveted place on the programme, which has gripped the nation for the past two years.

The firefighter, who is also a singer in North-East band Reagan, will have his every move filmed by cameras that are placed in secret locations throughout the house.

Millions of viewers will be able to watch Jonathan - or Jonny, as he was called on the show - and 11 other contestants as they battle to become the next Big Brother winner.

Even last night, presenter Davina McCall hinted that Jonny would be a key character in the household after telling the TV audience: "He's the joker."

Jonny lived up to that reputation when he told TV bosses he would most miss his regular sauna and sunbed sessions, and having his own toilet, but would least miss "normality".

The identities of all contestants were kept a closely-guarded secret until the first live episode was aired on Channel 4 last night.

The Northern Echo discovered Jonathan was to be a Big Brother contestant hours before it went live to the nation.

Even his sister, Joanne, did not know that her brother was to become a TV star when a reporter called on her last night.

Speaking from her home, a shocked Joanne, said: "I can't believe it. I knew nothing about it. He didn't say anything to me about it - and I'm his sister. I thought he was on nightshift.

"I'm really shocked. My heart is going mad - I just can't believe it."

There was no answer at Jonathan's home in Trimdon Grange, which he shares with his parents John and Margaret, who run a joinery business.

Neighbour Mary Merifield said: "We had no idea he was going to be on Big Brother. I don't usually watch it, but I will be now.

"I hope that Jonathan does really well on it. He is a really nice lad, really lovely, and so is his family. They would do anything for you."

Jonathan's girlfriend, Joanne Llewellyn, from Hartlepool, was at a London studio to watch her partner of seven years enter the house.

Her mother, Sheila Llewellyn, was in shock when she heard the real reason why her daughter had gone to London.

Mrs Llewellyn knew Joanne's fiance had applied to take part in Big Brother, but hed had told her he had been unsuccessful.

Mrs Llewellyn believed Joanne, 30, had gone to London for work reasons.

She said: "She just phoned me up and told me she was in London, but said she could not say why because it was a secret. Then she phoned me again and told me the real reason.

"I am absolutely amazed. I thought he would have gone in for it because it is his sort of thing - he's a good sport. He will try his hand at anything and he is a good entertainer." she said.

Mrs Llewellyn said she was a fan of the reality show and added she would be glued to the set for the next ten weeks.

"I quite enjoy it but I will be watching it with a special interest now."

And she believes her future son-in-law will do quite well in the competition.

"Everyone round here will be voting for him," she said.

Jonathan has already had a small taste of stardom with his band Reagan. In March, the group - which also features his brother David, 26 - won Regal Fame Game's Clubland Entertainers of the Year.

The band, which was formed in February 2000, played for Prince William and 40 of his Eton school friends when they visited the area.

Last July, he sang for Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie, along with Labour Party VIP guests, at their annual dinner dance.

Jonathan has been a firefighter since 1991 and is based at Peterlee fire station in County Durham.

A spokesman for Durham County Fire Brigade said: "We knew that he was applying for Big Brother but we had no idea that he had won a place. It was the best kept secret in the brigade."