Big Brother is a dream come true for Jenkin, says friend

Jenkin and Beth Evans have been friends since they were 11 years old

Big Brother contestant Jenkin always dreamed of being on the show and knew he would be a reality TV star, his best friend says.

The 25-year-old, from Bridgend, was thrust into the spotlight after entering the Big Brother house for the show's return to British TV on Sunday.

"In school, we always said he would end up on Big Brother," said Beth Evans.

"I'm really proud of him. It's a bit of a dream come true for him."

Watching the programme on Sunday evening had been "really nostalgic", she added.

Jenkin and Beth, who have know each other since they were 11, loved watching Big Brother as teenagers, messaging each other throughout and having a "debrief" in school the next day.

Jenkin and friends Beth and Danielle were always "joined at the hip"

More than 2.5 million people watched 16 new contestants enter the Big Brother house as the reality show returned to television screens for the first time in five years.

The housemates immediately took part in a "housewarming party" with games.

Jenkin had his suitcase blown up and lost access to hot water for a day - and also unwittingly chose 23-year-old Olivia to be up for the first eviction on Friday.

"He has a softer side. He does take things to heart," his mum Susan said. "He doesn't like upsetting people."

Jenkin, pictured with his mum Susan, has a "softer side"

"Losing his suitcase wouldn't have bothered him nor having a cold shower," she said.

Of the criticism he faced, she said she had told him to remember "it's not personal".

"I think he's going to thrive, I honestly think he'll become a fan favourite," Ms Evans said.

Jenkin is one of 16 contestants on the 2023 show

"He's so easy going and he's so entertaining," she added.

But she said there may be some drama between Jenkin and fellow contestant Henry, adding they might not "understand each other".

'Loud, flamboyant, lush'

"The Jenkin you see on screen is the Jenkin you get in real life," said Ms Evans.

He was always the loudest in the class, she said, adding he was "contagious".

"Every time he would laugh, you would laugh," Ms Evans said.

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She described him as a "loud, flamboyant character, he's just so lush. He's the most loving boy on earth."

Jenkin's mum Susan said it was clear from a young age he wasn't "your average boy".

Aged eight or nine, he asked for make-up, a doll's styling head and a blonde wig, she said, as well as a camcorder to record "shows".

"We learnt a lot, because from that time on we let everyone know: he is going to be different," she said.

His mum said he "loved" Big Brother and would say: "one day, I'm going to go on that".

She encouraged him, saying: "If you want to do something, never think that you can't. Unless you've tried, you'll never know."

She highlighted his compassionate nature, adding he had helped care for her from a young age as she has a medical condition which limits her mobility.

"I don't think his friends are really aware of what he was doing," she said.

Jenkin was not a troublemaker in school, Ms Evans said, but he would never want to work.

"The teachers wanted to hate him but they loved him," Ms Evans said. "He knows deep down that he is entertaining...he knows he's a reality star."

Jenkin, Beth and friend Danielle (right) were big fans of Disney sitcom Hannah Montana

Aged 16, the friends formed a Miley Cyrus tribute band - named "Bangers" after the singer's album - along with another close friend.

"We would create little shows to no one," she laughed, adding: "He [Jenkin] was a diva."

"I think he'd love to be a TV personality," she said.

It had been hard to watch fellow contestant Olivia criticise his dress sense in Sunday's show, she said.

"I wanted to cry, I wanted to go and give him a hug," Ms Evans said.

"I could hear it in his voice and you could tell he felt so awful. You could tell that got him down a bit, but I'm sure that won't stop him from shining.

"He might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I'm sure the majority of viewers will love him.

"I can't wait for everyone to see the real Jenkin."