Ann Bruce proudly holds aloft a magazine cover featuring her sister, and Big Brother housemate, Lynne Moncrieff. (Kenny Pirie)

The Orkney sister of Big Brother housemate Lynne Moncrieff has spoken out against lurid tabloid headlines and nude pictures of the Aberdeen student this week.

Ann Bruce, who lives at Lynn Park in Kirkwall, defended her sister Lynne – who was picked to take part in the Channel 4 cult series, currently in its third showing – following “kiss and tell” type tabloid coverage.

Nude photos of Buckie-born Lynne (36) appeared on the front page of one national newspaper on Monday and claims were made in others linking her to a convicted armed robber and drug dealer.

Ann (47), who moved to Orkney 12 years ago from Portessie, just outside Buckie, said of the claims and nude shots: “These claims about this Cadiz chap are not at all true. He is not her boyfriend. There are a lot of folk selling things (pictures) for money today. It was probably an ex-boyfriend. They were taken about ten-12 years ago.”

Ann, who travelled to London to spend the night with Lynne on Thursday of last week – the night before entering the Big Brother house – said she was concerned what effect the claims would have on her elderly parents, who live in Buckie, and Lynne, herself, when she leaves the house.

“I am a bit concerned for mum and dad,” she said.

Ann had never watched Big Brother before Lynne, a history of art student at Robert Gordon’s University in Aberdeen, went into the house, and she is not overly impressed.

“I am watching it when I can but life has to go on whether she is in there or not.”

As to how Lynne will cope with life on the inside, separated from the outside world with no access to television, radio or newspapers, Ann says she is not sure.

“She is quite a vivacious person but that is not coming across at the moment on the programme,” Ann said. “She was so tired when she first went in. She sat an exam on the Thursday morning before going into the house and was all worked up about that.”

Lynne was first out of the 12 housemates to use the “diary room”, where they can go to air their views. She said then that she wasn’t sure how she felt about the set-up, but she would give it time. Lynne was also first to go to bed on the first night.

Lynne is battling against the others for a £70,000 top prize.

“If she won the money I think she would probably pay off her student loan,” Ann said.

lorraine.shearer@orcadian.co.uk