HAMPSHIRE film director Ken Russell made a splash when he joined ten other celebrities in the Big Brother house - treating the rain-soaked crowds to an eccentric rendition of Singin' in the Rain.

Russell, whose film credits include Tommy and Women in Love, stepped onto the red carpet wearing red trousers, a red shirt and a flamboyant gold-embroidered waistcoat.

He was met by thunderous cheers and treated the crowd to some colourful language and an impersonation of former Big Brother housemate Pete as he met Davina McCall who helped him down the stairs and into the house.

There he met singer Jermaine Jackson and former Miss Great Britain Danielle Lloyd and introduced himself as 'an old film maker from way back'.

The Southampton-born 79-year-old who is 8/1 to win the show was one of 11 celebrities - including singer Leo Sayer, A-Team actor Dirk Benedict and tabloid journalist Carole Malone - to enter the house.

He will live there for up to 25 days under almost constant surveillance.

Russell's wife Elize, said that her husband, with who she lives in Lymington after their East Boldre house burnt down last year, decided to take part because he saw it as a challenge and joked that he was also in it for the money.

"I think he was curious," she said.

"He would never have thought of it but how often do you get asked to do things like that? You get interested in spite of yourself."

Media speculation has been rife that the show's makers are hoping that Russell will be a volatile character, like former contestants John McCririck and Germaine Greer.