Once you sign up for Big Brother, your life will never be the same again.

At least that's what former contestants Lisa Appleton and Mario Marconi say.

The larger-than-life couple from Warrington, who brought muscles, suntans and cosy chats to the house last year, have been riding the storm of publicity since leaving, and Mario says it would be hard now to go back to normal life.

"It would be quite difficult. I'm involved in charity work with Rob Lloyd Racing, but that's purely entertainment isn't it? In terms of doing a nine to five job, it's hard but it's something we'd need to look at because Big Brother doesn't last forever in terms of money," the former health and safety advisor says.

To bring in the cash since they left their jobs to enter the all-seeing house, Mario and Lisa have been modelling for brands such as Toni & Guy, doing charity PAs, and are about to start working on a self-defence DVD together.

"It's amazing how the doors open for you," comments Lisa. "It's very powerful, Big Brother. We can't believe we get these people approaching us."

But not all the attention has been good. While in the house the pair were plagued with negative stories in the press, from claims they were getting touchy-feely with each other in the house to win support, to stories that were altogether more damaging.

Mario says matter-of-factly: "It's not been a bed of roses. Lisa and I have had our ups and downs and nearly split, the media have tried to split us up with different stories alleging different things.

"Luckily everything's back on track, but I tell you, if you were faint-hearted you'd be down the road."

Lisa is more enthusiastic about their experience.

"It was the most fascinating and unique experience I've had in my life. It was the best thing we've ever done," she enthuses.

She takes on the chin criticism that she and Mario may have sexed it up a bit - at one point taking part in an exfoliating and fake tanning session while wearing the smallest of smalls - to get fans.

"We were very much ourselves in there. I know we got slated for the exfoliating but it's a natural thing to do, we were very 'cup of tea?' and dunking in the custard creams and sitting and talking in bed at night. If we wanted a kiss we'd have a kiss, we weren't going to hold back for the cameras," she says.

Their time in the house signalled a big development in their relationship. After four years of dating, Mario spectacularly re-entered the house after eviction to propose to Lisa, and they are now planning their wedding.

Keeping tight-lipped about the occasion, Lisa reveals simply: "We're not the shy, quiet type - not Mr and Mrs Average so we've got some OTT things going on and we'll have a theme, and of course our Big Brother friends will be invited."

The couple have managed to keep in touch with many of their former housemates. Runner-up Mikey in particular, and Bex and Luke, who are still a couple a year after the got together in the house.

Lisa says: "A lot of it dies off a bit. You're all in touch as soon as you get out the house then you choose your own path - it's a natural process that happens. I love Belinda and Maysoon and Sara but I've not seen them; we've only been in touch with emails and chatting on phone."

And though the friendships may not last, Lisa is certain of the effect Big Brother can have on other people.

"We've had women come up to us and say 'you kept me going through my pregnancy', or 'through my recovery period'. Women who've had cancer in hospitals, and Big Brother kept them going all throughout their summer.

"Like Jade (Goody) who got her message (about cervical cancer) across to young ladies - the Government can't even do that. If you can use the attention positively it's fabulous," she says.

Now the couple are preparing themselves to be drawn into Big Brother 10 and are looking forward to seeing what Big Brother has got in store.

"I think they're going to go for a diverse range of people," Mario says. "They may go for a gay or lesbian couple, perhaps we might see someone in a wheelchair. As long as there is a cross-section of society it's going to be good fun."

They also have some words of advice for those packing their silver suitcase to enter the house.

Lisa is full of suggestions on how to beat the boredom. "I advise them to exercise," she says.

"It keeps you a little bit sane, just run around the garden for half an hour every day, it kept me going. Do a bit of cleaning, and muck in with the cooking.

"You will go insane if you don't do anything, and lastly - enjoy every moment of the experience."