YOU'D think a former prisoner would be happy to have a chance of being set free from a confined environment.

Not if you're Big Brother star Darnell Swallow, according to his proud Neath Valley gran, who is determined to help the former US jailbird stay in the reality TV show house.

The albino giant served time for gang culture-related crimes but has since returned to the UK — where he was born — and now spends much of his time mentoring community youth groups in North London.

So his sensitive reaction to being nominated for eviction by his fellow housemates on the Channel Four programme came as something of a surprise. He was clearly upset after being named as one of three people to face a public vote and the possible boot, along with Mohamed Mohamed and Rebecca Shiner.

Darnell, however, will be able to rely on some heavyweight support from Resolven. His 62-year-old grandmother Pamela MacRae lives at a house in John Street in the village and has appealed to local fans to keep him on the show.

"I'm his grandmother, so of course I want people to support him," she said.

"I go to Sardis Baptist Church and everyone there is praying for him.

"The response in the village has been so amazing that I'm going to have to persuade him to come to Resolven when he gets out of the Big Brother house. Hopefully that won't be too soon, though."

Mrs MacRae, who moved to Resolven six years ago, was worried when she lost touch with Darnell a couple of weeks ago.

"He didn't tell any of us he had been selected for the show as he had to keep it a secret," she said.

"He had to go into hiding two weeks before and we only knew where he was when my daughter, who lives in America, had a phone call from Channel Four to say he was okay."

The 26-year-old songwriter was born prematurely and weighed just three pounds.

"His mother first saw Darnell on a photograph that was taken for her," said Mrs MacRae, who travels around the country nursing for a private firm. He was premature. They didn't think he'd survive."

Mrs Macrae, who travels to visit him every couple of weeks, has enjoyed seeing him more often recently, even if it's only on the telly.

"I suppose I see more of him on television than I have for a while," she said.

"I watch it every night — apart from his swearing, I'm quite proud of him. He just wants to make a name for himself to help his music career and I hope people will help him win."

HAPPY FAMILY Darnell (above), pictured with his gran Pam Macrae at the age of two (far left) and with his family, mum Bernadette, sisters Patrice (top) and Sherice, and stepfather Brady. Top, gran Pam at her Resolven home.2008-07-23T11:28:49