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Big Brother Dean deserts DIY job
Jun 18 2001
By David Jines, Evening Mail
Bosses at a top Birmingham fitness centre are praying for Big Brother favourite Dean O'Loughlin to come home soon - because they want their odd job man back!
He may be a successful Internet entrepreneur, keen musician and TV celebrity - but DIY enthusiast Dean has kept it quiet that he is handy enough to help out with maintenance chores around the Harpers Fitness health club at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
The 37-year-old, who has chipped in to help for about two years in exchange for free membership, amazed workers at the Edgbaston Road centre when he disappeared in the middle of erecting signs and shelves last month - only to turn up in the Big Brother house days later.
Now centre bosses don't know whether to root for Dean (pictured) to win the £70,000 prize or hope for a quick eviction so he can resume his handyman duties.
Confident Manager Paul Rickett said: "Dean helped us out when we were starting up a couple of years ago and was confident enough to suggest he would carry on doing odd jobs in exchange for complimentary membership.
"We've tended to see him two or three times a week ever since. He comes in to help put shelves up or whatever and have a workout.
"We last saw him two or three days before Big Brother started and when he left he just said 'I'll see you later'. "We still have no idea how much later that's going to be!"
Maintenance manager Dean Pittaway added: "It was a real surprise when he turned up on telly. "It was quite exciting but we need him back now because since he's been on Big Brother I've found quite a few jobs for him to do!"
Halesowen-based Dean, yet to be nominated for eviction by his Big Brother housemates, is joint favourite to win the show's £70,000 first prize.
