Orkney Tourist Board have sent an invite to camp comic Graham Norton to become an ambassador for the islands – despite his repeated jibes at Big Brother’s Cameron Stout and his homeland.

The invite follows the success of a visit by Big Brother 2 finalist Elizabeth Woodcock to Orkney in 2001.

She was given a free holiday after she revealed on the show that her dream would be to visit the islands if she won the prize. She didn’t win, but Orkney Tourist Board offered to pay instead, and since then she has been happy to promote the county.

Elizabeth is currently motorbiking around Eastern Europe, but pledged her support for Orkney Big Brother contender Cameron Stout.

“Unfortunately, I am not watching BB. However, I did see a few series before I left and noticed Cameron because he was from the islands.

“What a gorgeous accent and he seems, as most Orcadians, a straightforward, kind, honest guy with a dry, yet wicked, sense of humour. Glad he’s still in the house.”

Elizabeth made it through to the final four in the second series, which was eventually won by Irish flight attendant Brian Dowling.

She visits Orkney every year and is returning at the end of August.

Graham Norton, whose show follows the daily highlights from the Big Brother house has also visited Orkney in the past and– contrary to his tongue-in-cheek comments on his Channel 4 show – tourist industry insiders claim he loves the county.

He stayed at the Ayre Hotel in 1998 on a short visit to Orkney - and is always keen to point out to viewers his trip north.

Sheila Faichney of the tourist board said they would be happy to issue an open invitation to Mr Norton, but said Orkney was almost fully booked for this summer.

“We would really like to show him that there is really good quality accommodation, including in the North Isles, that the quality of the food is second-to-none and how much Orkney tourism has moved on,” she said.

“The information to him is that Orkney is to be experienced. Orkney does have a gay community and lots of potential for everyone.”

But as the comedian continued his trademark tirade of abuse on the remaining housemates, Cameron turned the tables, claiming he isn’t afraid of anything the Irishman can dish out.

“If he wants to put on a silly accent he’s got a blinking cheek. And if he wants to put on a chubby suit he’s welcome,” he said.

On Monday night Graham told the audience that Cameron is starting to give the girls the creeps.

“He is following them around a bit.

“What if one of the girls goes missing suddenly and they find him digging in the garden?”

Graham has been repeatedly taking the mickey out of the Orcadian accent.

“Is he really Scottish? His accent is like a mixture between Welsh and Scouse. Have any of you been to Orkney? I’ve been to Orkney. The funny thing is that everything is 5,000 years old – from the food to the caves.”

His comments on Cameron’s shyness when it comes to the female anatomy and his close encounter with first evictee Anouska in the bathroom have also raised a smile.

“You can see Cameron is trying not to look at her breasts. They are not allowed to do that in Orkney – they call them the Devil’s udders up there!”

Finally, he pretends to be concerned about the number of complaint letters he is going to get, but concludes: “Oh well, not really too much to worry about there then – only six people live there!”