The first show was a ratings killer for Channel 10, with 1.6 million people across Australia tuning in.  The web site offers live, unedited real time video of the show and has attracted millions of hits.  It's every voyeurs fantasy come true. (There are even see-in-the-dark bedroom cams!).

Before the show kicked off I'd reasoned that by the law of averages there had to be at least one gay person among the housemates.  But I didn't need the Sherlock Holmes hat after at all.  Right from the start, cute personal trainer Johnnie was out of the closet - his profile mentioned marching in Mardi Gras.  I nodded to myself knowingly.  In case that wasn't proof enough it was confirmed not far into the show when Johnnie came out during a heart to heart.  

Johnnie comes out

Alone in the bedroom Jemma and Johnnie confided that they both felt a special connection on a spiritual level. Johnnie said he had this feeling for several members of the house.

Johnnie also revealed to Jemma that he had pursued relationships with women until the age of 21. Johnnie felt he had loved his female partner and was comfortable with the relationship, but had always known deep down that he was gay. He felt that coming to terms with and being open about his sexuality saved him from falling into a trap of "living a lie". Johnnie said he has been openly gay from the age of 23.

Both agreed that they were more interested in pursuing long-term relationships rather than the casual fling. Jemma and Johnnie were then joined by fellow housemate Ben who was curious about love, admitting he had never experienced it. Ben wanted to get the inside information on what love felt like.

Both Jemma and Johnnie believed that the benefits of a loving relationship far out weighed the instance gratification of a casual fling. Love for Jemma and Johnnie meant yearning for that special someone, trusting them with your most personal thoughts and feelings, putting up with those annoying habits and feeling a passion to be with that one person. Jemma opened up to the group by revealing she had never had a one night stand.

Gordon entered the room and joined the conversation by stating he enjoyed a one night stand, Ben also felt that at this point in his life one night stands were the way to go for him. They then fell into the ‘women want more out of relationships than men do’ debate with Jemma extremely passionate about the emotional pit falls of one night stands.

One thing they all agreed on was that the presence of jealousy was the best way to ruin a relationship.

The conversation was abruptly ended when Jemma was called into the diary room to discuss the increasing pain in her wrist and the possible solutions.

Johnnie has become a popular character in the show and if the web site is anything to go by he has a lot of on-line fans as well. By visiting the site and registering you then get access to the live cams and can vote for your favourite character. While this story was being written on-line voting by visitors to bigbrother.com.au had Johnnie as the second most popular character behind Blair.  

// Full Name ..       Johnnie   //Age .. 30   //D.O.B .. 24.Dec.70
		Height: 182cm   Weight: 78kg Star Sign: Capricorn Favourite Song: Ray of Light by Madonna Favourite Artists: Madonna, Portishead, Bjork, Chicane Favourite Films: Barbarella, American Beauty, Billy Elliott Favourite Book: The Night Listener and Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

Whether he thought about it or not Johnnie has become an instant gay hero. He's been a great team player so far with his early morning exercise and yoga sessions for the other housemates.  I think a lot of us will be hoping he does well, so good luck Johnnie.

Johnnie takes on the role of personal trainer for the other housemates

Note: Information for the article was taken from the big brother web site at www.bigbrother.com.au