Big Brother winner Nadia Almada can always go back to her old job if she tires of her new-found stardom.

Back when the fiery 27-year-old was still known as Carlos, she spent her days washing pots and tidying the kitchens at the Katarina Beefeater restaurant at Brighton Marina.

Former employer Pat McKenna said he would be happy to have her back in the kitchens, where her extrovert nature was a breath of fresh air.

Portuguese Nadia was paid the minimum wage when she worked at the restaurant a couple of years ago.

It would have taken her almost ten years to amass the £63,500 she won last Friday when she was crowned Big Brother champion number five.

Staff said she was the life and soul of the party and used to flirt with the chefs.

After finishing her shift, she would change into outrageous dresses in the toilets and hit the clubs of Brighton.

While working as a kitchen porter, Nadia visited consultants to discuss the sex change operation she longed for.

Mr McKenna, 51, said: "When we first met Carlos he was a bloke but you could tell he wanted to change that. He came looking for a job with a friend who was also a transsexual and we took them on.

"It was during that time Carlos started the journey. We certainly didn't think she was going to be a star back then.

"She didn't get dejected or depressed like she has in the Big Brother house. She was just at the exploratory stage when she was with us but knew where she was going and knew it was a matter of time.

"She would tell you about it if you asked her but it wasn't something she went around broadcasting.

"Any sort of operation like that takes quite some time. It's not something you can come in off the street and have done."

Mr McKenna, who has been manager of the restaurant for six years, has had first-hand experience of Nadia's explosive personality.

He said: "When she was on Big Brother she was exactly as she was here, just such an extrovert.

"She had her highs and lows like anyone and wasn't afraid to show her feelings."

For six months Nadia spent her days as Carlos the kitchen porter and her nights in student bars and clubs as the fun-loving party girl who has won the nation's hearts in the past three months.

Mr McKenna said: "We'd see her dressed up in female attire at parties so it wasn't a total shock.

"She was always dressed in women's clothing in her private life. She has a female personality. It is quite a male-dominated atmosphere but everyone supported her.

"Being in Brighton helped but it wasn't a problem for anyone. Everyone liked Carlos."

When Mr McKenna first tuned into Big Brother he didn't realise his old employee was one of the housemates until his wife pointed it out.

After spending weeks rooting for the sparky brunette he said he would now always think of Carlos as Nadia.

The kitchen porter job ended when Nadia returned to Portugal, leaving a gaping hole in the restaurant's social scene.

Waitresses Shaz Brooker and Sharon Mateer said they were avid viewers of the reality TV series and had voted every week.

Shaz, 36, said: "She was a bit of a control freak in the kitchen but was always game for a laugh and up for anything.

"You certainly knew when she walked in the building. We really noticed when she left."

Nadia is now soaking up the sun in Ibiza after winning the acceptance she longed for on the reality TV show last Friday.

Mr McKenna said: "When she actually won, that was a treat. She nearly went to pieces. It just dawned on her what had actually happened.

"I hope she finds happiness. Life has not always been the best for her. Now she's got what she wanted and hopefully this will give her the security and stability.

"It must have been terrifying for her on Big Brother. I know I wouldn't have had the courage. I just hope she's treated well afterwards."