THE Redditch star of reality TV show Big Brother loves her home town and believes after her stint in the famous house she will return to her normal life, her mum told the Advertiser yesterday.

The hugely popular phenomenon that is Big Brother began again on Friday and saw 12 strangers thrown together for nine weeks.

The contestants are not allowed contact with the outside world and one person is evicted each week.

One of those stars is Steph Caldicott, of Winyates Green, who turns 28 today.

Yesterday, her mum Joy Smith and her beloved dog Ronnie were filming a special birthday message for her.

Steph comes from a close-knit family which also comprises her sister Louise, her eight-month-old niece Matilda, who is known as Tatty and whom Steph 'idolises', and her granddad, whom she 'adores', living just a few houses away.

Clerical worker Mrs Smith explained how her daughter, who is separated from professional footballer husband Stacy Caldicott, applied for Big Brother after a particularly tough time and feeling her life had become stale.

Steph loved her school life, attending Arrow Vale High where her flair and talent for art was developed.

In November, after moving back to the family home, Steph became a visual merchandiser for Marks and Spencer in the Kingfisher Centre but she had to quit to take part in Big Brother.

Mrs Smith said Steph would be 'gobsmacked' if she knew the media interest her presence in the Big Brother house had generated.

Mrs Smith is not expecting her daughter to win but said it would be nice if she did.

But she added nine weeks was a long time during which Steph would be missing Tatty and Ronnie greatly.