DAY ONE Tommy's in soapy bubble; SHERIDAN'S PLAN FOR SAUCY BATHTIME PANICS BIG BROTHER GIRLS.

Byline: By MIKE LARKIN

FIREBRAND Tommy Sheridan took just 90 minutes to get into hot water in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

The formerMSP - who went to court to deny being a swinger - suggested housemates jump in the kingsize tub together.

The Solidarity Party leader told former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton the bathroom was cramped before adding: "That's a great reason for everyone to bath together."

Michelle, 28, seemed less than impressed by the perma-tanned socialist's ice-breaking chat, saying: "We'll have to see about that."

Tommy, who welcomed housemate Ulrika Jonsson with a kiss, won a legal fight against allegations he went to a swingers' club.

But last year he was charged with perjury and prosecutors have until March to decide if he should stand trial.

Tommy is an outsider to win Big Brother and was booed as he went into the house on Friday night's show, watched by six million viewers.

After meeting housemates, Terry Christian - who hosted notorious 90s show The Word - told Tommy he should team up with Shameless star Tina Malone to form an "Irish corner" because of their shared roots.

But his bid to befriend LaToya Jackson, 52, hit a snag when she could not decipher his accent. She asked Ulrika: "Do you understand him?"

Tommy has already been using the show to promote his left-wing beliefs.

Yesterday he wore a sweatshirt with legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly's famous socialism quote.

His jumper read: "The socialism I believe in is everybody working for the same goal and everybody having a share in the rewards.

"That's how I see football, that's how I see life."

Tommy also told fellow housemates - including actor Verne Troyer, rapper Coolio and singer Mutya Buena - people should only work a maximum of 35 hours per week as in France.

Despite his bathing gaffe, Tommy's wife Gail, 45, is confident his head won't be turned by beauties such as Page 3 girl Lucy Pinder.

Gail - who has a daughter, Gabrielle, three, with Tommy - said: "He'll be staring at a wall - he does that - and in camera shot will be a view of Lucy Pinder's breasts."

Full-time law student Tommy has admitted he only agreed to take part in the three-week show for the money - rumoured to be pounds 25,000 - saying it will fund his university fees.

He has not worked since quitting his Talk 107 radio show in April.

Yesterday Tommy's former colleagues in the Scottish Socialist Party attacked him for entering the house.

Spokeswoman Frances Curran said: "For someone so concerned about tabloid defamation, it didn't take long for him to take 30 pieces of silver for tabloid humiliation."

Tommy has also been slated for taking part by the Socialist Party, International Socialists and the CWI. In a statement, they said: "Tommy's decision to take part will damage his standing in the socialist movement.

"At a time when capitalism is being engulfed by the most serious recession in more than 70 years, his involvement in the so-called celebrity edition of Big Brother will jar with many."

Fellow left-wing politician and former contestant George Galloway - who infamously impersonated a cat on the show while wearing a leotard - declined to comment on his friend's appearance.

But Tommy's new friendship with Terry could save him from eviction.

As head of house Terry - who bonded with Tommy discussing politics and Arthur Scargill - has been given immunity from eviction for a week.

But what his housemates don't know is he will be watching their behaviour during a task and putting those with the biggest egos up for the public vote.

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CAPTION(S):

On his soapbox: Tanned Tommy lectures Verne and Coolio about socialism; Swede nothings: Tommy welcomes Ulrika to the House; Tub club: Host Davina McCall shows off BB bath; Turning up the Heat: Liberty X babe Michelle was asked to share Tommy's tub; In tune: Mutya and LaToya take a look around