BOOKMAKERS are backing a County Durham tree surgeon to follow his former schoolmate in winning Channel 4's Big Brother.

Liam McGough, 22, from Kitswell Bungalows, Lanchester, County Durham, has been given odds of 6/1 from bookmaker William Hill.

His closest competition is Tracey Barnard, a rave-loving cleaner from Fordham, near Newmarket.

If he wins, Liam will follow in the footsteps of 2005 winner Anthony Hutton, 25, from Consett, who went to the same school, St Bede's, in Lanchester.

It is not believed the pair knew each other while at school, but Anthony, who has just bought a house on Newcastle's trendy Quayside, is supporting him.

He said: "I hope he does well in the show and I wish him the best of luck. Everyone in the North-East should get behind him so we can have another winner from the region."

Posh Spice fanatic Channele Hayes and Gerry Stergiopoulos are the next favourites to win this year's show, with odds of 13/2.

Graham Sharpe, of William Hill, said: "Liam has the profile of a winner as he is young, good-looking and easy going.

"We think he will appeal to the voters and he has got every chance of winning.

"His odds of being the next out are 20/1, and we think he will do well, so we did not want to take any chances with his price."

Liam is a passionate Newcastle United supporter and plays cricket for Lanchester's second team.

He works for Oliver's Tree Services. Liam learnt he was going in the house on Tuesday after he was put on standby by the show's producers.

It is the third time he has tried to get on the Channel 4 reality show, and entered the house on Friday with three other men.

He has already dressed as a police officer with fellow house mates to form the Big Brother Village People group.

His father, Joseph, said: "I think he has handled himself well so far. It is bizarre watching my son on television, totally surreal.

"He is a good guy and knocks about with lads he has known all of his life, and that is not going to change.

"He tends to see the funny side of everything and is very witty.

"He is never short of girls to go out with, but he is not going out with anyone at the minute.

"If he does become famous, I think he will take it in his stride.

"He might climb trees for a living, but his feet are firmly on the ground."