AS he prepares to enter the final fortnight of this year’s Big Brother contest, Cooneen man, Christopher Hall’s mother says his Christian faith has helped him to be “true to himself” while in the house.

The aspiring broadcast journalist has caused quite a stir over the last few weeks with a blossoming romance between him and fellow housemate, Mark Bryon.

But in Tuesday night’s episode he revealed his worries of what awaits him on the outside, fearing he could have ruined relations and caused tensions within his family, many of whom didn’t know that he was gay.

Reassuring him, Mark told Christopher his family will “love you no matter what”.

And speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, mother, Marie, could not be more proud.

She says the most lasting impression that her son will leave on viewers of the Channel 5 show is how he has refused to conform to the drama and two-faced behaviour which the reality programme has become renowned for.

“I don’t think there will be any follow up between Christopher and Mark, and I think Christopher knows that himself,” she says, “I have been overwhelmed by how many people have come up to me and said how well he has done -- people in the church as well offering prayerful support for him. You are who you are and people respect Christopher for that.

“He is being true to himself and the Christian faith he was brought up in.

“It can’t be easy in that kind of environment.” With the finish line almost in sight, it looks likely the Christopher has secured a place in the last two weeks in the Big Brother house.

As always, no one knows what Big Brother will have up its sleeve, but at the time of going to press, three people are up for eviction this Friday, and Christopher is not one of them.

Marie, who has been keeping in touch with her son’s friends in London, says the odds of Christopher winning are looking good.

“They were saying that the two Nothern Ireland housemates seem to be the favourites at the minute -- Ashleigh from Derry seems to be the overall favourite and Christopher second,” she says excitedly, “But then you are always afraid to be too confident -- you never know what could happen.

“But I know Christopher has far exceeded his own expectations at this stage.” Christopher had just completed his MA Honours degree in Broadcast Journalism before entering the Big Brother house.

Last Saturday his parents were proud to learn that he has passed his degree with merit.

“He will have a lot to catch up on when he gets out of the house,” says Marie, “I’m looking forward to him finding out his results.”