Dad would be proud says Big Brother hopeful

A FORMER Capital beauty queen has been joined by a former porn star, a plus-size model and a one-time LA gang member in this year’s Big Brother house

Sara McLean, 22, from Newington, a student and model, who triumphed as Miss Edinburgh in 2010, is described by show bosses as an outrageous flirt, who is also argumentative with a short fuse. The former St Margaret’s schoolgirl was joined by 15 other contestants as they headed into their new home after Channel 5 launched yet another series of the show – the fourth within the space of a year.

However, the 5ft 10in beauty, who lost her dad to cancer at the end of last year, does not have high hopes for winning the show.

She said: “It’s a popularity contest and there are a lot of people I don’t get on with.”

After clinching the Edinburgh crown in October 2010, Sara went on to finish runner-up in Miss Great Britain two months later. All the while the former Napier University student concealed the heartbreak of her father Colin’s fight with terminal lung cancer.

The 58-year-old was given just three months to live back in April 2010, but undermined the doctor’s grim prognosis with an inspirational fight for life which ended just before Christmas last year.

Sara believes he will be looking down on her in the Big Brother house.

Speaking after the Miss GB competition, she said: “I think I’ve made my dad really proud. He knows now that I will be OK in life – this has been one of the best experiences for me at this time. I realise now how far I’ve come – it’s been a real boost to my confidence.”

Before entering the Big Brother house, Sara also revealed herself to be a Conservative supporter and a staunch fan of Baroness Thatcher, whom she believes “did amazingly for the country”.

Her fellow contestants include a sex-change chef, known as Luke A, who was born a girl but began to have treatment to become a man four years ago. He has since married, although many people he works with have no idea about his past.

Other housemates include martial arts fighter Arron, dancer Lydia and well-spoken history student Scott, who believes the Channel 5 show will help him launch a career as a celebrity historian, as well as breaking the news that he is gay. Ex-gang member Adam was born in Britain and brought up in Los Angeles, where he became a member of the LA Crips gang.

Although viewing figures are down on the Channel 4 days, the programme has proved a boon for its new station.