The reason why Big Brother housemate Darnell Swallow was jailed in the U.S. has been revealed – he’s a convicted drug dealer.

Earlier this week, the 27-year-old songwriter revealed to his shocked housemates that he had once served time, but declined to give a reason for his sentence.

However, it was revealed today that Darnell was jailed two years ago for violating his probation from a previous conviction.

Nicked: Darnell Swallow's mug shot from his 2004 arrest in North Dakota, U.S.

The Ipswich-born albino was raised in St Louis, Missouri and was living in North Dakota in 2004 when he was arrested.

After police raided his home and found a stash of marijuana ready for selling, he was convicted of drug dealing and sentenced to 120 hours of community service, the Daily Star reported.

Just two years later, Darnell was found violating his probation and was jailed.

Following his prison sentence, Darnell was stripped of his green card by U.S. authorities and forced to return to his birth country.

Before going into the Big Brother compound two weeks ago, Darnell told Channel 4 bosses about his colourful past, saying he was forced to leave the U.S. after getting 'caught up in gang culture'.

Earlier this week, Darnell told his housemates about his dark past.

He said: 'Damn, I have a past that none of you know. I've been to jail, man.'

He admitted he still had a lot of friends who were still serving time behind bars and his conviction had threatened friendships and romantic relationships.

Describing a relationship with one woman, Darnell said: 'Even my mum told me this girl was out of my league, man.

'A friend tried to ruin our relationship too. He told me she had found out about my past and thrown my gift to her in the bin, but she said it was lies. How do I deal with that s***?'

Since coming back to the U.K., Darnell has turned over a new leaf and spends time mentoring youth groups in north London.

His best friend Turan Yavuz, 20, said: 'I hope people will not judge him by this revelation.'

Entering the house: Darnell enters the Big Brother house on June 5th