[James]

24 July 2006

DAD'S FED UP
Exclusive

HOUSEMATES ON THE PULL
BB Scot opens restaurant 200 yards from his father's

By Mark Mcgivern

HE was hated by his housemates on Big Brother and now Federico Martone is even annoying his closest relatives.

The gobby Glaswegian from BB4 is opening his own restaurant - just 200 yards from dad Rocco's Italian joint.

And as if that wasn't enough to cause a fight, cheeky Fed is poaching staff from his old man. Rocco, 53, admitted last night: "I could probably do without Federico setting up quite so close as this. He has to remember that I'm still the D on in this family.

"I noticed him looking at my menus the other day and he has pinched a few members of staff, which would normally lead to a vendetta."

Federico, 26, is opening his Italian restaurant, Qua, on the site of a Japan-ese restaurant in the Merchant City owned by Simple Minds star Jim Kerr. Rocco's place, Piazza Italia, is a stone's throw away at the Italian Centre.

Rocco added: "Federico has worked for me and knows many of my customers. I'm growing a bit fed-up of people saying they will be checking out his restaurant.

"Of course, I would like him to do well - but not better than me."

Fed lost out on Big Brother to Orkney's Cameron Stout but hopes to be a winner in the restaurant trade.

He said: "I'm not trying to stand on dad's toes. It's just that a great site came up and I jumped at it."

www.dailyrecord.co.uk