Big Brother star Hughie Maughan has revealed how he is still getting online abuse over his Big Brother appearance six years ago.
The 27-year-old warned anyone applying for the reality show’s revival to be ready for the “onslaught of abuse”.
Hughie received death threats after leaving the house as runner-up in 2016 – and said he is still targeted by trolls to this day.
But the former youth worker, whose “tangate” appearance on Dancing With The Stars went viral, said he tries to stay positive and brush it off.
Big Brother is due to make its TV return on ITV2 next year according to reports and Hughie warned would-be contestants that it will change their lives. He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I don’t think anyone could be mentally prepared as it’s such a different environment to normal life.
“I knew it was going to change my life because of the community background I come from where me coming out as gay and going on TV would always be remembered.
“What you need to remember before going in is who you are and what you have done. A lot of the people who abuse you are just jealous because they would love to do it themselves.”
Hughie admitted the abuse has continued long after his appearance on series 17 of the reality show.
He said: “People make fun of my looks and whenever I have gained weight they have made fun of that.
“Of course it upsets you but it upsets me more because it upsets my family.”
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