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GRIMSBYTELEGRAPH.CO.UK

12:30 - 01 June 2005

Oh, brother! One of the latest reality TV stars has a link with Cleethorpes.

Big Brother contestant Derek Laud worked for former Cleethorpes MP Michael Brown for eight years, and the pair became close friends. Political speech writer and staunch conservative Derek worked as Mr Brown's political researcher in Westminster from 1982 to 1989.

Mr Brown, political pundit and columnist for The Independent, said Derek (40) - who became the first and only black master of foxhounds in 1999 - made regular extended visits to the area, even riding with the Brocklesby Hunt.

And today he urged the people of Grimsby and Cleethorpes to keep Derek in the show.

He said: "You can't vote for me any more, but you can vote for Derek and keep a Tory in the Big Brother House."

Roberta Pawson runs Pawson's Riding Stables, in Ulceby, where Derek used to ride.

She said: "He started as a complete beginner and he rode a lot.

"He was always very polite and well-mannered.

"I took him along to the Brocklesby Hunt after he had been riding for three months.

"He was a good rider considering how long he had been learning."

Mr Brown was Conservative MP for Brigg and Cleethorpes from 1983 until 1997, when he lost his seat to current Labour MP Shona McIsaac.

His constituency also covered Immingham, Stallingborough, Killingholme, Barton, Goxhill, Barrow and New Holland.

He said he has not had regular contact with Derek - who was first in the famous Big Brother house - for 10 years.

"I have seen him briefly at the odd party, but we are not in touch any more," he said.

"The first I knew of this was when a friend called me up and told me to put the TV on.

"I thought it was brilliant, very funny, and I am delighted that he is on the show.

"I would not watch it unless he was on it.

"I don't think he will win, but I think the viewers will be quite entertained by him."

Today it emerged that Derek, who lives in Battersea, London, is acquainted with the Duchess of Cornwall. He is believed to have got to know Camilla thanks to their shared love of hunting.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "They may well have come across each other."

During his career, Derek wrote speeches for Margaret Thatcher, Michael Heseltine and Alan Clark.

He had to withdraw his candidature from the 1997 general election after being convicted of drink-driving in the US.

Ladbrokes said fellow contestant Roberto Conte remained 5/1 favourite to win the Channel Four show's £100,000 first prize.