As Big Brother launched last week, we heard some mutterings on our forum about new housemate Mario Marconi. People were suggesting that he had been in some sort of trouble with the law over a case of domestic violence.

It seems that at least part of that story may be true, as an ex-girlfriend of the ‘Italian Stallion’ has come forward in todays Sun newspaper and accused Mario of beating her and pressuring her to have an abortion at the age of 19.

Also in yesterdays paper, the father of Mario’s girlfriend Lisa has branded him as ‘a sleazeball and a bully’.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Geoff said: ‘Mario is nothing but a sleazeball and a bully.

‘Everything about him is fake. His real name’s not even Mario. He’s called Shaun for God’s sake. He just wanted to sound Italian.

‘I hope Lisa dumps him now for her own sake and one thing is for sure - he is banned from stepping foot inside my house.

‘I couldn’t believe he boasted in his profile to get on the show that he had slept with 200 women. That is disrespectful to Lisa.’

Geoff admitted he was unhappy about Lisa’s decision to appear on Big Brother:

He continued: ‘I said I disapproved - but she went ahead and did it anyway. That shows the influence Mario has over her.

‘Soon after they first met he pressured her into having a boob job.

‘I am convinced he only did it so he could show her off in front of his mates. I thought he was just after Lisa because he wanted a pretty woman on his arm.

‘Lisa has always been stunning, then he wanted her to have a boob job.

‘I never thought she had any issue with her breasts.’