‘Firecracker’ Jenny Baird doing Derry proud, says mum

A Big Brother finalist’s mother has said her “wee firecracker Derry girl” of a daughter is doing the whole city proud in this year’s ITV reality series.

Jenny Baird, a 20-year-old makeup artist from the Brandywell area of Londonderry, was one of 17 housemates to enter the Big Brother house in late September.

She is now one of the last remaining contestants ahead of Friday night’s series final.

“I’ve always told her she’s capable of anything she puts her mind to, and I’ve no doubt she’s more than capable of going the whole way,” her mother, Breege Gormley, said.

Breege said life hasn’t been the same since Jenny swapped her home in Derry for the Big Brother house.

“I miss Jenny. I miss chatting to Jenny, texting her and just chatting the way we were in the house and that,” Breege said.

“But I’m getting a good rest without her being about, to be honest,” she said.

Watching her daughter on television, she added, has not been without its challenges.

“It’s nerve-racking, to say the least and I’m sure, as you all get to know Jenny, you will understand why that is,” Breege said.

“Like, you just don’t know what she’s going to come out with next and she’s so much fun, but at the same time, she’s a wee firecracker.”

“Before she went into the house, I said, Jenny, I want people to see you for the kind-hearted, beautiful wee person that you are,” she previously told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme earlier this month.

Jenny, her mum said, had already been known to many in her home city before her reality TV debut.

“She was very well known in Derry and Belfast anyway so I was kind of used to her coming on and saying people were wanting pictures with me because of her TikTok and her social media, and she loves all that,” Breege said.

“I’m kind of starting to realise maybe the magnitude of this is a bit more than I thought. But do you know what? She’ll be in her element. She’ll love it.”

Since she went into the house, the family have been overwhelmed by the level of support in Derry and beyond.

“From the minute she went in, it’s been phenomenal,” she said.

Jenny will be ready for whatever comes after Big Brother, Breege added.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle in October, Jenny’s friend Shane Melly said he met her through a mutual friend when he was 10 and she was 12, and that they instantly became close friends.

“When we met, we clicked straight away and we have been stuck to each other’s side ever since,” Shane said.

“She would even tell you herself, but she’s mad, she’s funny.

“She could step into a room and have everyone in fits of laughter with whatever comes out of her mouth – she doesn’t even mean to be funny half the time, she’s just naturally funny.

“Her personality is huge. I’ve never met someone with as big a personality, and I think that’s why we click so well.”

Shane said Jenny is “a proud Derry girl” and will no doubt be blown away by the support she has received since entering the house.

“She’s such a genuine person, and I told her before she even went into the [Big Brother] house that she would definitely have the backing of the people here, and all of the Derry ones would be supporting her all the way through this.”

TV critic Scott Bryan said Friday’s series climax will be “a hotly competitive final” and Jenny might be able to win it.

“I think Jenny certainly does have a possibility of doing so. I mean, she’s been sort of a constant positive presence,” he said.

To be a Big Brother winner, he added, requires a housemate to “stand out in terms of being memorable and also having the camera on you.”

But her fans shouldn’t assume it’s in the bag, he said.

“Big Brother wouldn’t be Big Brother without there being a twist towards the end.”