Big Brother UK contestant Frankie Taber has come out as bisexual during an emotional diary room conversation on the current series.
The 23-year-old marketing manager from London told Big Brother he had entered the programme intending to speak publicly about his sexuality, after carrying feelings of guilt and shame for around 18 months to two years.
“I’ve come on this show to come out, ’cause I’m bisexual and like, I’ve been in pain for so long now, probably about a year and half, two years,” he said. “I mean just the guilt and the shame that I’m carrying from it, and I don’t know, I just feel like I’ve let down a lot of people.”
Taber began to cry during the conversation, prompting Big Brother to reassure him: “Frankie, Big Brother doesn’t think you’ve let anyone down.”
A photograph from the diary room moment shared on Big Brother UK’s social media accounts drew messages of support. One commenter described Taber’s decision as brave, while another wrote: “I do not know him, but I am so proud of him. It takes a lot of courage to be yourself in a world where that isn’t always accepted.”
A person who appears to be a member of Taber’s family, Tamzin Taber, also commented: “So proud of my cousin,” alongside a red heart emoji.
The UK version of Big Brother premiered earlier this week and is broadcast on ITV2 and ITVX.
