WE have always known it but now the rest of the world is catching on — Alfie is one of the best.

Quite a few eyebrows were raised when former Welsh rugby captain Gareth Thomas was unveiled in the lineup of this season's Celebrity Big Brother, but the man known as Alfie is showing his competitors a clean pair of heels it would seem.

The former Bridgend and Cardiff Blues winger, who won plaudits all round by having the courage to be the first professional player to come out as being gay two years ago, has been installed as the bookies favourite to win the series with odds of 5-2.

The series has been criticised by some for the caliber of contestant it attracts and it is always a gamble entering the goldfish bowl of a house, that is filmed 24/7, where bitchiness and egos rule the roost.

However Alfie, who won 100 caps for his country, has won plaudits for being a down to earth grounded character who has not got a bad word to say about anyone and would rather see his house mates kiss and make up rather than have blazing rows.

And the man who routinely bashed 18 stone Springbok and All Blacks forwards showed a far softer side at the weekend when he broke down in tears in the house diary room — after receiving a letter from his mother.

One well placed to comment on Alfie's performance is friend and former Wales team mate, Arwel Thomas.

Arwel, a former Whites favourite, said: "The people in there are all off their heads and Gareth is the only normal one in there, the only one in contact with reality.

"That's why he seems so grounded and is the one holding things together."

Arwel said the 37-year-old's rugby background and experience of touring — he captained the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand — would serve him well in living in close proximity with a group of strangers.

He said: "You have to be outgoing to be a top rugby player these days. Don't forget Alfie is a born leader and more than used to mixing with people."

And Arwel added that the once wild man of Welsh rugby had matured into a sensible role model.

He said: "He seems a lot calmer these days and has really matured as he used to be bonkers when I knew him.

"He was always good company on tour, the life and soul of the party, always having a laugh and playing around."

And Arwel, a bit of a joker himself in his days with the Welsh team, was amused to see his old friend let his defences down for once.

He said: "He's had a little crying fit which will help his vote I'm sure.

"I thought it was hysterical and was nearly falling off my chair I was laughing so much. It must be emotional missing everyone."

Despite the banter, Arwel is 100 per cent behind his friend and is tipping him to win.

"He seems to be doing really well in there and I hope he wins," he said.

"He seems to be really popular in the house and hopefully people outside will vote for him."

Publicist Max Clifford said Alfie's appearance on the show provided him with a golden opportunity to make a name for himself outside the rugby world.

"What this does is widen the horizons — he can go into after-dinner speaking, for example," he said.

"The fact that he is doing so well, and the fact that he has a wider audience, opens him to advertising and marketing people."

geraint.thomas@swwmedia.co.uk