Jack Dee tries escape from Big Brother

Jack Dee was found by security guards

Jack Dee escaped from the Big Brother house in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The comedian fled the house he is sharing with five other celebrities in a special edition of the programme in aid of Comic Relief by simply walking out of the back gate.

Chris Eubank: The first to be evicted

A spokeswoman for Big Brother said he had initially tried to dig his way out of the garden with a rake while TV presenter Anthea Turner and Boyzone star Keith Duffy were in a hot tub.

Former boxer Chris Eubank has already been evicted from the house.

Dee's fellow contestants were unaware he had left, but Big Brother cameras followed the escape and security guards were sent to retrieve him.

Camouflage

He was found 30 minutes later still in the Big Brother compound, lying down next to a portable office. He had smeared mud on his face as camouflage.

He was taken back to the house but could soon have to pack his bags for good because he has been nominated along with Vanessa Feltz for the second round of evictions.

Anthea Turner and Claire Sweeney: Anthea avoided eviction

A combined audience of 10 million people tuned in to see Friday night's show on BBC One and Channel 4, with a total of 742,885 calling in or e-mailing their votes for eviction.

Eubank was kicked out on Saturday, but viewers must wait until Sunday's show to see his eviction.

The first round of voting, by telephone and via the Comic Relief website, raised £115,000 for Comic Relief.

Those left in the house are Turner, Boyzone star Keith Duffy, Claire Sweeney, television presenter Vanessa Feltz and Jack Dee.

One of the six will be evicted every other day, and viewers will be able to follow their progress in special programmes on both Channel 4 and BBC One.

Unlike the original Big Brother programme last year, there are no cameras in the toilet or shower and there will not be a constant online broadcast from the house.

Dee could face "disciplinary action" for his action.

"As he had not left the compound he would not be thrown out of the show," said the spokeswoman.