Brentford boy Marcus Akin has been branded a sex pest by some Big Brother viewers over his attempts to woo a fellow housemate on the Channel 4 reality show.

The 35-year-old window fitter, who is famed for his resemblance to Wolverine from the X-Men films, has stepped up his campaign to win over Irish beauty Noirin Kelly.

He told her he has decided to "go with [his] gut feeling", adding "I think it's going to a nice place with us. You say friendship, but I think I can nice you into a different mindset".

Bachelor Marcus appeared to be making headway at the weekend when, just 24 hours after viewers voted to keep him in the house for another week, Noirin allowed him to paint a safari mural on her back.

He flattered Noirin, 25, by characterising her as a lioness in the painting, but since then his advances have come back to bite him as the Dubliner has kept her distance and resisted his requests for a cuddle.

Akin's antics have prompted viewers of the show to brand him a pervert and a sexual harrasser on the Digital Spy internet message boards, with some saying Big Brother producers should give him a warning.

But fans of Brentford's best loved mullet have leapt to his defence.

Emma Rodber, posting on the 'Marcus Akin to win Big Brother' Facebook group, wrote: "We all know he isn't a 'sex pest'. The majority of people with half a brain can see what a decent bloke he is."

Chrisy Bennett added: "Marcus you're doing well M8. Keep it up."

Marcus, a Hounslow Manor School pupil the 80s, confided in housemates Freddie and Siavash that his thinks viewers may think him an idiot for chasing Noirin around.

But he said although he is "99.9% sure nothing will happen", he would continue to flirt during his remaining time in the house to counter the boredom. "She’s the most chase-worthy girl here," he said, adding that if he didn't pursue her it would be a sign of having "mental problems".

However the 'romance' could be over before it even starts as Noirin is one of four housemates nominated for eviction this Friday.