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How you can beat Big Brother, by Welsh stars

May 8 2006

Molly Watson, Western Mail

THIRTEEN weeks cut off from the outside world, with 11 housemates for company, all competing for the same thing.

It's a scenario from most people's worst nightmare. But if the rumours are true, Welsh beauty Imogen Thomas will soon find herself at the centre of it.

The former Miss Wales has been tipped as the only Welsh contestant to be entering the house when series seven of Big Brother starts in two weeks' time on May 18.

Former Big Brother contestant Helen Adams, from Cwmbran, South Wales, went on to have a successful TV career after coming a close second in the second series. She won over viewers with her naivety and bizarre catchphrases like, "I like blinking, I do." Her on-screen romance with fellow contestant Paul Clarke also proved a ratings-winner.

But last night former contestant Lisa Jeynes warned that despite the promise of fame and fortune, the reality is far from glamorous.

She said, "Nowadays when people are asked in their interviews why they are applying, every single one says they want to be famous.

"I read that Imogen wants to be a television presenter but it's not as easy as that. If you look at past contestants and even winners, it really is just 15 minutes of fame. Success takes a lot of hard work."

Twenty-three-year-old Imogen, who was crowned Miss Wales in 2003 and has also been one of FHM magazine's High Street Honeys, certainly has sex appeal but while her good looks might make her a hit with the public, Lisa warned that they're likely to provoke jealousy from other women in the house.

Lisa, 36, entered the Big Brother house as a surprise contestant halfway through the fourth series, and has reviewed the programme for the past two years for BBC Wales.

She said, "Being good looking can sometimes go against you. Imogen is a beautiful looking girl and that will cause her a lot of problems because it will provoke a lot of bitching among the other girls. If I was her I would play down my looks."

Previously, Lisa who comes from Penarth, has spoken out about the loneliness she felt while in the house, but yesterday she said she thought this series would be the toughest yet.

She said, "I hope Imogen goes in there with her eyes wide open and with a really strong and open mind.

"The hardest bit for me was being ostracised. When you have 12 people locked up together it's inevitable that they will break off into little cliques and that's when the bitching starts and in such a confined area, it can really screw you up and that kind of situation can make or break you.

"It's like being a caged animal.

"You can sugarcoat it which ever way you like but it's a kind of bullying. I have watched it happen every year. It's car crash TV."

But if Imogen does start to feel the pressure, psychologists are permanently on hand for contestants to talk to with the prospect of more than three months inside the house.

Lisa said there's no reason why Imogen couldn't be the first Welsh winner. She said, "If she goes in there and is a nice person and her natural self then she stands every chance of winning. She has my backing because she's Welsh."

The 12 contestants are currently being kept in secret locations until the series starts in two weeks' time.

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