Ibdie band frontman Sam Preston is hoping to live up to his musical reputation during his time in the Big Brother house.

Sam, known as Preston, the lead singer and guitarist of Worthing-based four-piece The Ordinary Boys, is second favourite to win the reality show.

Fellow band member bassist James Gregory said Preston's nice-guy attitude should help him to claim the prize money for St Patrick's Trust in Cambridge Road, Brighton.

James, 21, from Worthing, said: "He is one of my best mates - there's nothing pretentious or two-faced about him. He's a genuinely good guy and I think most people will see that.

"Some of the other contestants might think his sleeping patterns are a bit strange. He's always in bed quite early so I don't think he'll be burning the midnight oil.

"The band doesn't really have a rock and roll lifestyle - we really are ordinary boys, no pun intended."

Less than 36 hours in, Preston, who has the words love and hate tattooed on his toes, has caused a stir by using the word "exponential" and engaging in philosophical conversations with fellow housemate Michael Barrymore, the bookies' favourite to win.

He has already cottoned on to dupe contestant Chantelle, who must convince the others she is a member of girl band Kandyfloss to avoid eviction.

During a conversation in the garden with MP George Galloway and Sven Goran-Eriksson's former lover, Faria Alam, a suspicious Preston began a discussion about the 22-year-old, saying: "I haven't heard of that group."

Mr Galloway told him: "She had one hit, it got to number 47."

Preston said: "She told me 58. You don't think she's a red herring? I've never heard of her. If she's just a struggling musician I'd feel bad for being paranoid."

The Ordinary Boys shot to fame in 2004 after numerous mentions in NME and a £200,000 record deal.

Their album, Over The Counter Culture, went gold in the UK the same year.

They landed themselves in hot water when they did a photo shoot in Brighton, apparently snubbing their home town of Worthing, but redeemed themselves when Preston toured the town with an Argus reporter.

Preston, 23, was asked to take part in Celebrity Big Brother after declaring his love for the show while appearing on spin-off programme Big Brother's Little Brother last summer.

James admitted he has not watched the show but may be tempted to tune in next week if Preston is still there.

He said: "I know it's a bit naughty of me but I'm not a huge fan. Preston is.

"When people go in, they perform in a certain way and act all wacky and it's not until later that their real characters come out. All that fascinates him.

"I was sitting with him in a restaurant when he got the phone call to say he was on it.

"To be honest when he told me my stomach sank but he managed to talk me round."