The first housemate rumour to come out after Big Brother launched tonight was that Mario, the cross between Matt LeBlanc and Sylvester Stallone, was previously in prison. He apparently featured in a Bravo show called Brits Behind Bars, and you can apparently see him in this sequence found on YouTube…stop your browser at 0.55.

It’s not confirmed what his stint in jail was, but I did read that it was to do with a domestic violence incident with his former wife.

This is all very interesting, because the overwhelming feedback on our forum is that Mario (who’s real name is Shaun) and Lisa are familiar faces. I’m personally pondering if Lisa is an actress or something, because I’m sure I’ve seen her on TV before…

Anyway, having watched the clip above, do you think the inmate in question is Mario? I’d love to hear what you guys think…

Anyone who saw the Big Brother launch show tonight (and I can’t imagine anyone missing it!), will know about the first four housemates’ secret task.

Mario and Lisa entered the house as a couple, but after they were joined by Stephanie and Luke, Big Brother gave them their first task. Mario and Lisa must pretend that they are not a couple, but instead 43 year old Mario must convince the other housemates that he is with 19 year old Stephanie. If they pull it off, the four taking part in the task will escape next weeks public vote. If they fail they will all be up for eviction.

At the end of the launch show, Davina McCall announced that Mario and his new girl Stephanie will be getting married this Sunday, and they’ll think it’s for real!!!! How brilliant!

The male half of the first ever summer series Big Brother couple, Mario takes as much pride in his appearance as girlfriend Lisa does, and regularly spends over two hours to get ready for a night out. Mario’s real name is Shaun, however his “Italian stallion” alter-ego has come about due to so many people saying he looks like Sylvester Stallone. In truth, he has no actual link to Italy but he does say his favourite film is Rocky.

A father of two girls, Mario considers his toned, athletic body to be his best asset. He and girlfriend Lisa are fitness-obsessed and say they have sex at least once every day. Before Lisa, his romantic past includes having his heart broken by Miss Copenhagen when he was 18, and he claims to have slept with over 200 women. Read more & comment »

There’s already a rumour that new Big Brother housemate Mario has been on TV before, in the Bravo series, Brits Behind Bars. Check out this video at about 0:55, and tell me if you think it’s Mario.