Coast's model soldier to take on Big Brother house

A SUNSHINE Coast former soldier will report to the diary room as a housemate on the latest series of Big Brother.

Matt Filippi is headed for the Big Brother house. Picture: Denis Dwan Photography

A SUNSHINE Coast former soldier will report to the diary room as a housemate on the latest series of Big Brother.

Channel 9 revealed its first housemate, Matt Filippi, in a teaser promotion on Sunday.

Friends and family of the 27-year-old Maroochydore part-time model are looking forward to seeing how a strategically minded man will approach the game that is the Big Brother house.

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Matt, who has a twin brother, grew up on the Sunshine Coast and graduated from Mountain Creek High before embarking on two tours of Afghanistan.

The teaser video portrays Matt as "the hero", emotive music playing in the background as he tells of a bomb blast.

173502 Caption: Private Matthew Filippi

"Can this rugged soldier survive the Big Brother Twist?" the video asks.

The laidback Matt could spend his 28th birthday in the house if he avoids eviction until September.

Matt has modelling and acting aspirations but is currently working as a second year apprentice at Laser Electrical Caloundra. His supervisor Jon Morgan said Matt was "pretty sure of himself" and a hard worker.

"I don't think he will be real loud but he won't be quiet either. I think he will be in between and go under the radar and keep to himself a bit at first," Jon said.

"He makes jokes and is always mucking around, as tradesmen do. He's certainly not quiet.''

Matt's mum Carol O'Neill said she was proud to see her son diving into every opportunity that life throws at him.

Her advice to him before heading into lockdown? Don't hurt anyone's feelings.

"I just said to him that if he talks about anyone, make sure he would say that to their face,'' Carol said.

Originally published as Coast's model soldier to take on Big Brother house