A FORMER nurse who appeared on reality television show Big Brother has accused Wycombe Hospital of going back on an agreement to allow her to take part.

Makosi Musambasi, 24, of Amersham Hill, High Wycombe, is furious with the hospital for refusing to give her three months leave to appear on the Channel 4 television progamme after she claims it was initially agreed.

The decision three days before the show began led to her resignation.

Miss Musambasi, who was elevated to stardom as a result of Big Brother, told the Free Press: "The hospital tried to stop me from going into the house. They had said they would give me a sabbatical. I phoned human resources and they said talk to your bosses.

"If they want to give it to you, they will give it to you if they have got enough nursing staff'."

She claims the hospital had even written up a rota for three months with her sabbatical on it, but believes one of the reasons she was not given it could have been because of claims she was having a relationship with a consultant. This was strongly denied by the hospital.

Miss Musambasi said: "It was probably down to him because they wanted to protect him. But I was not going in to represent them. I wasn't like I'm Makosi, I'm here for the cardiac team at Wycombe Hospital'. I wasn't going to do that."

The Zimbabwean nurse, who came to the UK on a working visa, had been working on the cardiac ward for more than five years and did her training there. She said she had to resign from her £17,000-a-year post at Wycombe Hospital to appear on the show, which has now led to the uncertainty of her immigration status and her right to stay in the country.

She adds: "Three days before I went into the Big Brother house I was told they were not giving me my sabbatical and that's probably why I am now in trouble with immigration."

Twelve people entered the Big Brother house in May and were constantly watched by cameras. Each week the public vote out their least favourite housemate until there is one winner..

Wycombe Hospital confirmed that Miss Musambasi did apply for sabbatical leave but they were not formally told that the reason was to appear on Big Brother.

Maureen Davies, director of nursing at Wycombe Hospital, said: "We could not have made our decision based on that because we were not told. She asked for sabbatical to commence immediately for an undisclosed period for an undisclosed reason.

"We always deal sympathetically with all requests for sabbatical leave and we understand that our staff have private lives. We review all requests for leave in accordance with our policy and procedures but I am not aware of any leave being granted to Miss Musambasi."

The hospital also denied any claims that the reason the leave was not granted was because they wanted to protect the identity of one their consultants. Mrs Davies added: "As long as our staff are professional at work and it is satisfactory their private lives are none of our business."