Monday 18 January 2010

Vinnie Jones in BB house to raise money for Help for Heroes

By JEN BLACKBURN
Published: 04 Jan 2010
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HARDMAN Vinnie Jones' stint on Celebrity Big Brother will take his mind off the perils facing his soldier son in Afghanistan.
The soccer star turned film hunk - who entered TV's camera-strewn house last night - is proud that 18-year-old Aaron is fighting for his country in the Household Cavalry.

But he admits he fears for the youngster's life on the frontline, where 245 Brits have been killed since 2001.

He opened his heart before housemates arrived last night for the start of the final Celebrity Big Brother series - seen in our slideshow below...


Among those joining him were Usual Suspects film actor Stephen Baldwin, 43, former R&B star Sisqo, 31, Jordan's cage-fighter lover Alex Reid, 34 - and her pop singer ex-boyfriend Dane Bowers, 30.

Exploits

Vinnie, 44, spent time with Aaron over Christmas. Yet now the teenager is headed to war for the first time, the dad of two admits his stomach is churning with anxiety.

He said: "Aaron's been in the Army for two years now, but him going to Afghanistan is one of those things you put to the back of your mind.

"Although I don't think about any of the bad things that can happen, it still turns your tummy."

But Vinnie, who is expected to donate a percentage of his $1million fee to the Sun-backed troops' charity Help for Heroes, reckons his son is well equipped to deal with the hostilities of war.

He added: "He's been brought up around guns and fishing rods. I grew up with blokes around me and he loves all that too. In a lot of ways, he's identical to me.

"Although I should think he's a lot fitter!"

Bosses on the Channel 4 show are hoping Vinnie, wed 14 years to wife Tanya, will tell tales of his acting exploits after ten years living in the Hollywood Hills and hanging out with the likes of superstars Brad Pitt, Madonna and Sting.

The former Wimbledon and Leeds footballer was last night named as 5/2 clear favourite to win by bookies Ladbrokes.


Close ... Vinnie and son
1\B\Ben Lack
The firm's David Williams said: "Vinnie looks like the perfect Big Brother star. He's got attitude, personality and is likely to shake the house to its foundations."

Cross-dresser Reid arrived at the house to a chorus of boos from fans.

Wearing a hooded coat and trousers, he told host Davina McCall that he hoped to win over the crowd while in the house. He said: "This is why I'm here - to change these boos to, hopefully, cheers."

Actor Baldwin, a born-again Christian, had been the first to enter the house.

Wrapped up against the cold in a leather jacket and scarf, he told Davina before going in: "I'm really only prepared to be able to have this experience by faith."

Nicola T - The Sun's original Page 3 Idol - was the first girl into the house.

The 27-year-old WAG, who lives with Crewe Alexandra footballer Simon Walton, 22, first posed for pictures in a cream baby doll style dress and knee-length stockings.

Dynasty actress Stephanie Beacham, 62, who recently appeared in Coronation Street, made her entrance to the Tom Jones song She's A Lady before being cheered on her way into the house.

She was dressed in Eighties glamour with black satin gloves and a string of pearls.

Once inside she greeted Stephen Baldwin like an old friend, but he didn't seem to know who she was and asked "What's your name?" Stephanie admitted she was "genuinely underwhelmed" by appearing on the show until she saw the welcome she received.

Next in was rapper Lady Sovereign - real name Louise Harman - who introduced herself to Stephanie as "Sov".

When asked by Davina who her nightmare housemate would be, the 24-year-old said: "Someone with an old fashioned opinion or a chav".

Both Stephanie and Baldwin failed to grasp her nickname and referred to her as Soph.

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Sisqo sang along to his hit single Thong Song as he made his way into the house. He told Davina he was looking for love, adding: "Hopefully there'll be some beautiful ladies."

Lady Sovereign remarked they were the same height. He replied: "I'm a little taller when I stand on my wallet."

Jordan's ex boyfriend Bowers was next into the house, sporting what appeared to be a bruise above his eye.

He was greeted by Reid, who cuddled him and shouted: "Round Two" - a jokey reference to their alleged brawl at a New Year's Eve party. When Davina asked "Is there going to be a fight?", Bowers - who starred in '90s boyband Another Level - said: "I'm sorry to disappoint you but we actually get on OK. I've met him a few times and he's a cool guy."

Inside the house, Stephanie asked the singer: "What have you done with your forehead?" He said he had "a boo boo" on it from a few days ago - and admitted using make-up to hide the bruising.

Also in the house is Ronnie Wood's ex Ekaterina Ivanova, 21, who is expected to spill the beans on her time with the veteran Rolling Stones legend. Meanwhile Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, 44, could lift the lid on the celebrities to whom she supplied escorts.

Completing the line-up was 25-year-old DJ and producer Basshunter, whose real name is Jonas Erik Altberg.

He is joint second favourite to win, alongside Baldwin and Bowers - all at 7/1.

READ full Vinnie Jones interview in Hello magazine, out now.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/big_brother/celebrity_big_brother/2792962/Vinnie-Jones-says-hes-going-into-CBB-house-for-his-soldier-son.html

Posted by: Grace Vernon

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