Why we came out on reality TV: ‘I hope parents can see how cool my dad was about it’
TV fans have seen some incredible coming out scenes in fictional shows such as Heartstopper and Brooklyn 99, but what about those who’ve come out as LGBTQ+ in real life on our screens?
Four reality TV stars tell their stories to Metro.co.uk.Brian Dowling appeared on Big Brother back in 2001, just two days after his sister, Michelle, helped him come out as a gay man to his parents in Ireland when he was 22.Little did he know just how warm the embrace he would receive from the UK and Ireland as his authentic self would be, going on to win the second series of Big Brother and becoming a national sweetheart.After his stint on the series was such a success, he landed a job on SM:TV Live as the first openly gay kid’s TV presenter and in 2020, became part of the first all-male partnership on Dancing With The Stars in Ireland alongside Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington.
He recalls ringing his mum the day before going into the Big Brother House, hours after his sister told them about his sexuality.
They thought he was ‘trying to be fashionable’.‘For me, I really found out who I was and I really came out to everyone, including my extended family, in the summer of 2001 on national television to so many people,’ he tells us. ‘I don’t think people were surprised, I’m sure people did care, but I was so lucky on that show that even to the housemates my sexuality was never an issue, and leaving the show my sexuality was never an issue.‘I feel like all of the UK and Ireland supported me regardless of my sexuality but I do believe being embraced by England and Ireland helped me with my coming out, it also helped my family fully understand and embrace me.
