Big Brother Jonny's panto role

Jonny will star in Aladdin at Newcastle's Theatre Royal

Big Brother's Jonny Regan is set to bring the house down playing a Geordie genie in pantomime.

The 29-year-old firefighter will star alongside veteran actors John Inman and Stu Francis.

Jonny, who was runner-up in this year's Channel Four TV marathon, says he is nervous about his starring role.

He will be on stage in Aladdin at Newcastle's Theatre Royal over the festive period.

John Inman will star alongside Jonny

The firefighter from Peterlee, County Durham, said: "Originally they didn't want anybody from Big Brother to take part.

"But then I suppose they had a change of heart.

"I've got to wait and see how good I am at acting.

"At the moment I've got a hundred million things to do, but this is one of the best yet and I think I'll take to it well.

"I really hope I can stay in the North East, but at the moment everything is up in the air.

"I might well go back to being a fireman.

'Real natural'

Katie Raines, director of marketing at the Theatre Royal, said: "We're delighted Jonny said yes to appearing in the pantomime.

"We kept our fingers crossed for a couple of days until we heard that he would be starring in the role.

"He's a real natural on the TV and I'm sure that he'll feel right at home on the stage."

Kate Lawler walked away with the £70,000 prize for surviving the third Big Brother show, which ended in July.

The series pulled in record viewing figures despite criticisms of bars being put up to divide the contestants and the lack of challenging tasks.