Big Bro contestant in trouble over nude scene

Big Brother contestant Penny could be dismissed from her teaching job after she was seen naked on the TV show, her headmistress said today.

The 33-year-old English teacher - real name Lisa Ellis - bared her body to the cameras when her towel fell as she stepped out of the shower.

She has also been seen kissing fellow housemate Paul, 25, as they sunbathed in the garden.

Today Ms Ellis’s headmistress at the Sarah Bonnell School in Stratford, east London, was furious.

Cauthar Tooley said: ‘‘If she chooses to behave in a lewd manner she will have made the choice to leave the school.

‘‘I haven’t seen this display of nudity myself, I’ve only heard about it.

‘‘I need to find out what has happened. I understand that it was an accident and the towel slipped.

‘‘However there’s a code of conduct which she has been made aware of and should she infringe that she is risking her job and the right to return to school.

‘‘When she’s finished the Big Brother project she will report to me for duty.

‘‘At that stage I will have made a decision in consultation with the school governors and the local education authority legal team about how her behaviour has infringed our code of conduct and what the resulting position will be for her return at the school.

‘‘I have to make sure that the profile of the school and its ability to provide positive role models for my girls is maintained.’’

Ms Tooley revealed that she had thought long and hard before allowing Ms Ellis to take unpaid leave for an ‘‘optional amount of time’’ and go on Big Brother.

‘‘When she asked I let her go as part of her own professional development.

‘‘I know she is very interested in the theatre and acting and it could give her options to get into the theatre.

‘‘It may well lead to job offers which may result in her leaving the school. I am aware this project could present options for her in another field.

‘‘However she told me she would definitely be coming back to the school.’’

Ms Ellis has taught English at the school for nine years.

Ms Tooley paid tribute to her merits as a teacher.

‘‘She is a very hard working person who organises a lot of extra curricular activities.

‘‘She spends weekends and after school hours doing this and spends a lot of her lunchtimes providing extra curricular help for students.

‘‘I would be very sorry to lose her and hope that she does come back but I will respect her decision to move on and do different things. I wouldn’t want to stand in her way.’’