HE'S the talk of the nation. The outlandish, aged, film director who went into the Big Brother house flamboyantly dressed in a vivid outfit of red shirt and trousers and a green and gold embroidered waistcoat, singing loudly to the waiting crowd.

He had to be helped into the house by a slightly bewildered Davina McCall who didn't seem to know quite what to make of the shouting, singing 79-year-old who seemed a little like a drunk Toad of Toad Hall.

Ken Russell seemed like the kind of eccentric Englishman of which we, as a nation, are both proud and slightly embarrassed of.

Younger viewers probably wondered who this mad old bloke was and why he'd been dredged up to be put under the spotlight in the Big Brother house.

Older audience members, on the other hand, may have wondered why the man who was one of the most powerful film-makers in the country, if not the world, had decided to expose himself to possible ridicule by taking part in the show.

Before he went into the house media speculation was rife that the show's producers were hoping the Southampton-born director, who now lives in Lymington, would bring the controversy that he brought to the cinema with such films as The Devils and Women in Love, with its infamous nude wrestling scene, into the house.

It has been suggested that he'll be the obligatory rude, grumpy one who insults and upsets everyone - and makes the show all the more watchable.

And, to some extent, these theories have good grounding.

After all, Russell does have a reputation for being a force to be reckoned with and didn't get his enfant terrible of the cinema world reputation for nothing.

But the Russell I have got to know over the past five or so years, first as a journalist and later as a friend, is a far cry from the crazy, scary, strange man many people may be seeing.

When he stepped out of his car and onto the red carpet outside the Big Brother house on Wednesday bellowing Singin' in the Rain I wasn't entirely surprised.

After all, he and his charming wife Elize, known to almost everyone as Lisi, sung sea shanties and Sally Pride of our Alley to me in a (thankfully deserted) Southampton restaurant while I was interviewing them.

But I also know him as a shy, charming man who is as likely to have a quiet chat and ask you lots of pleasant questions about how your work is going, or the health of your cat, as bamboozle you with an impromptu performance.

In fact the bursts of loudness and apparent eccentricity are probably just a smokescreen for someone who would rather spend an evening at home with his beloved wife and tubby dog than go to a showbiz event.

The most recent time I saw him was in late November when my boyfriend and I went to visit him, Lisi and their much-loved dog Nipper in their rented house on an estate in Lymington where they now live.

It's easy to think that someone who was once as powerful and famous as Russell would be an unbearable conversation dominator but far from it.

Among his favourite topics on the night were Nipper - who he is so fond of that he and Lisi have agreed a signal that he can give her from inside the house which means say hello to the dog' - and the opening of a new Waitrose in the town.

He also has endless amusing anecdotes to share over the treacle tart, Turkish delight and pizza he plies you with.

There was the time he decided he wanted to become a dancer - which he did later do - and was dancing naked round his room when his mother walked into the room. Unfazed she asked do you want a cup of tea Ken?' There's the almighty row he had with a big actress when she was supposed to be staying at their East Boldre home before it burned down which ended with him hurling himself across the room at her with his hands aimed at her throat while whispering to Lisi that he was faking really.

But as well as telling his own anecdotes he loves hearing other people's.

He's also totally lacking in self importance or pompousness. He visited the Echo office in Redbridge recently to film staff for a short film he was making and was nothing but charming with everyone.

He didn't expect the office to suddenly revolve around him, chatted politely with everyone he met and was extremely grateful for everyone's help.

He laughs uproariously at your jokes, compliments you, listens and is all round thoroughly good company.

He's 79 but his mind is as open, active and enquiring as someone a quarter of his age.

His life is still full of fun and opportunities and he's determined to make the most fun out of everything that meets him.

This is why he has gone into the Big Brother house - because it offered a chance to have a new and different life experience.

It is because he is such a fun, kind, giving person that I believe he might well win. I hope he does.