Eccentric science nerd Jon Tickle first captured the public's heart in Big Brother 4, and has been a regular on our screens ever since. Tickle is said to be the 13th most popular housemate ever, with numerous fansites and even a 'church' in his honour. He's appeared in a number of popular TV shows over the past four years, most famously as the presenter of Brainiac. But who is the real Jon Tickle? Available for Panto caught up with him to talk honeybees, fishguts and impressing women.

If you think we've missed something crucial, drop in to the live Virgin Bingo webchat at 8pm tomorrow, and ask him yourself...

What was the outcome of your time-delay toaster idea?

Nothing at all. The toaster companies didn’t seem to understand the idea and I’m too busy to pursue it so nothing came of it. However, if someone out there would like to progress the idea they have my blessing! I’d buy one and so would the hundreds of people who have asked me about it since I was on Big Brother.

Have you thought of and/or created any more inventions since?

It amuses me somewhat that people think that I’m in inventor! I’m not, I just had a single good idea for a product that I would like to see made.

Would you like to create your own science TV show? What would you call it?

No, Brainiac is perfect for me. It communicates the ideas behind the scientific method to a wide audience and in today’s society, where the need for people to be able to think for themselves is more important than ever, I can think of no better format. I love being chief Brainiac and have no great desire to do another show yet.

Who is your favourite scientist? Do you have a least favourite?

Richard Dawkins. If you’ve never read one of his books, switch websites and buy one on-line immediately! I try not to be negative about people that I haven’t met, so it’s difficult to answer your second question. However, given my answer to your first question, it would have to be any scientist who is stupid enough to believe in deities.

Have you ever considered becoming a science teacher?

Yes, both my parents are teachers and I considered following in their footsteps until I realised that I could earn more far more money by working for a blue-chip company than for a local education authority. Seriously though, I have a great admiration for the work that teachers do and I’m slightly ashamed that I don’t think that I’d have the patience for it.

What was the weirdest experiment you did on 'Braniac', and what was the most dangerous?

There have been a lot of weird experiments on Brainiac, many of which simply didn’t work and have never been shown. Standing on a Bournemouth beach near three Brainiacs covered in fish guts trying to attract seagulls has to be near the top of the list. Unfortunately the Brainiacs were scared of the seagulls and kept flinching whenever they got close, so we had to abandon the experiment. Most dangerous: alkali metals and water. Let’s just say that I’m very glad that I wear glasses…

Can honeybees get drunk on fermented nectar? If they can, can humans?

To the best of my knowledge, bees include a natural preservative when they use nectar to make honey and so it is unlikely to ferment under normal conditions in a hive. Fermentation changes sugars into alcohol and if there is alcohol in something, you can bet that somewhere a human is going to try and drink it and get drunk.

You were the first Big Brother housemate to get voted back into the house - how did that make you feel, knowing that the public chose you above several other people?

It was a tough choice – it was either that or take up the offer of being on one of the last ever Concorde flights. At the time, the fact that I won the public vote wasn’t that important – one of us was going to go back in, it just happened to be me. I still haven’t watched my Big Brother – I have about forty VHS cassettes in the corner of my room – and so can’t really offer you an explanation of why the viewers chose me above my housemates; all of whom I thought were special people.

Do you think people have different motives for entering Big Brother now? What were your motives for entering the house?

Yes. Big Brother 4 was the last reality Big Brother. Nowadays, naïve people see it as an easy meal ticket, without realising that success in any walk of life takes effort. Thankfully it’s far too expensive to live in London unless you work for a living and we don’t seem to hear much from those housemates who are not willing to expose their breasts. You shouldn’t apply for Big Brother unless you have a large number of reasons for doing so. I did.

Has life changed for your twin as a result of your appearance on TV?

Yes, and both he and I would be grateful if people didn’t confuse the two of us!

Would you recommend entering the Big Brother house as a way of increasing your attractiveness to women?

It depends who you are. For my part, the type of women who are impressed by that fact that someone has appeared on Big Brother aren’t that attractive to me.

Are you currently in a relationship, or are you putting it about a bit?

A friend of mine – a Mr. C. Stout – puts it very nicely: “you can ask me any question you like but I’m under no obligation to answer.” I may work in the media industry but I have signed no contract that says that I have to disclose certain details about my private life. I’m pleased to tell you however, that I’m quite happy with my life at the moment – and if I wasn’t, I’d do something about it.

Do you keep in contact with any of your ex-housemates?

Less often than in the early days but some of us contact each other now and again. If one of us goes to someone else’s home town, we’ll generally get in touch to see if the other person is around.

The Brainiac site says your day job involves computers and gas. Do you think we will ever have computers made of gas? Or gas made of computers?

I’m a Data Strategy Manager for British Gas Business. Computers and gas? It’s probable that the future will see quantum computers that contain plasmas but not gaseous hydrocarbons.

What are your favourite websites?

bbc.co.uk; yahoo.co.uk; imdb.com

Would you go on "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here" if you were asked?

No, I’m not a celebrity and once you’ve done a reality TV show or have any knowledge of the way that TV is made, you can’t be yourself in front of the cameras.

Who do you bank with? Also, what's your mother's maiden name? Also, what was your first pet called? Also, what's your date of birth?

Nice try but I’m not that stupid!

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