While Corin, Ife and Mario all claim to be ‘positive’ people, but they mean quite different things, writes Freddie Fisher.

Mario is perceptive, and realistic: he sees people and situations warts ‘n all. Mario is positive because when he sees something he doesn’t like, he doesn’t have a strong and unhelpful negative reaction. He also doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would hold a grudge.

He hasn’t had much conflict with the other housemates so far. But it’s clear from his early defence of Ben that he’s not afraid of arguments either. He’s just an easy going guy who realizes that life is absurd, and so doesn’t things it too seriously. He has a lot to teach Andrew about the art of living, and I look forward to seeing their friendship develop.

Ife seems to be quite emotional, but she’s positive because she deals with conflict in a mature and logical way while still holding her own. This was evident when she ‘punked out’ Shabby and Caiomhe for bitching about her during the wheelchair basketball party. And while she’s competitive and likes everything in its right place, she’s not domineering. She also has a strongly held belief in fair-play. Ife is a strong and virtuous housemate who hasn’t yet blossomed. If she survives this week then expect a more confident and strident Ife… and a very very angry Caoimhe.

Corin is very energetic, and seemed at first to be constantly happy. Happy + energetic = bubbly. Being bubbly can raise everyone’s energy, which is often positive. But while that’s great at a party, when people are upset it’s natural and healthy for their energy to become a little depressed. Being relentlessly upbeat around people who are down is insensitive. And it can get irritating, particularly if it seems like the happiness isn’t always genuine. And while she seemed constantly happy at first, her negative side is brusque and dismissive.

Fair play to the girl for her efforts developing a distinctive catchphrase. But I want to shoot her every time she say’s she’s buzzing. John James was absolutely right. The highlights show can never convey in a mere 40 minutes just how many times she says this every day. Her voice was cute at first but now makes me want mute the TV. There isn’t much too her besides here energy, and she doesn’t have any interesting social relationships. She’s got my vote this week.