The eighth series of Big Brother became a tad more evil on Friday night, when 31-year-old Gerry Stergiopoulos became the tenth housemate to be evicted. In a shocking nomination twist, the openly gay Greek gallery researcher from South London was given the boot – by his fellow housemates!

The Powers That Be (otherwise known as Big Brother!) added a surprise twist to the eviction night by making Ziggy Lichman, twins Amanda and Sam Marchant, and Tracey Barnard choose between Gerry and youth health worker Carole Vincent. Gerry and Carole – who were also up against Liam McGough, Brian Belo, Jonty Stern and Kara-Louise Horner – had received the most public votes.

As soon as the results were announced, Big Brother made the housemates decide on the spot who they wanted to evict. But Gerry - who had entered the house ten days into the show, to relieve the pressure on the then only male housemate, Ziggy - made it easier by asking to be evicted.

Gerry was gracious in defeat and told the housemates that he was happy to leave. He added that he wanted Carole to go on and win, which reduced the 53-year-old to tears.

"Before I came here, it was used in the auditions as a cliche," Gerry told presenter Davina McCall during his eviction interview, "that you want to go on Big Brother because you'll learn so many things about yourself."

"But you do learn an awful lot about yourself - and I learned to like myself just a little bit.

Gerry, who got 24% of the votes (Carole got 49%!) added: "I came here for acceptance. Now I know people accept me."