Latest news with #DanielLustigWebb
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gogglebox star reveals secret battle with deafness as they admit they're learning sign language in emotional update
A Gogglebox star has revealed his secret battle with deafness and admitted he is currently learning sign language. Daniel Lustig-Webb, 50, emotionally shared he is fully deaf in one ear and has been since he was a child. It's something that he admits he hid 'for years' but has now opened up about it to Scene Magazine. The hairdresser told the publication: 'I got mumps when I was younger, which caused an infection in my ear, and that left me with complete and permanent hearing loss in one ear. 'For years, I hid it. I didn't want people to see me as 'different' or less capable.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The TV star recalled how his hearing loss made school difficult at times and he was 'picked on' by other students. Teachers underestimated his ability and he found it hard to concentrate at times, 'not realising it was because I couldn't hear properly'. As an adult, Daniel's deafness has continued to impact his life and he described trying to communicate during social occasions such as parties as 'exhausting' and admitted it 'takes a toll'. As he turns 50 years old, Daniel has decided to open up about his deafness and intends to learn sign language. 'I'm planning to begin learning sign language because I want to connect with the deaf community and support others who might be struggling like I did. Deafness isn't a weakness, it's part of me,' he said. Daniel previously featured on Gogglebox alongside his husband Stephen Webb. The pair revealed they were getting a divorce in April 2024 after six years of marriage. Speaking on Best's Suddenly Single podcast earlier this year, Daniel opened up about their 'traumatic' and 'devastating' shock split as well as his current dating life. Daniel previously featured on Gogglebox alongside his husband Stephen Webb. The pair revealed they were getting a divorce in April 2024 after six years of marriage Despite making the decision to split up, Daniel revealed he and Stephen were still living under the same roof while they continued to sell their apartment. He said: 'We're still living together. We're trying to sell our apartment. We cohabit really well together. (The split) was quite a slow process, for a while we were still sleeping in the same bed. 'Then when Stephen went on Celebs Go Dating we agreed we'd sleep in separate bedrooms. 'We've found a way to work together, live together and be dog dads. It's always been about friendship. 'As soon as we started dating, I said, 'this guy is so different to me' but we got on so well, even though we came from completely different backgrounds.' Talking about their split, he added: 'It was devastating. For me, it was traumatic and although I knew things weren't great, I didn't see it coming. 'It was quite a slow process because we were completely entwined for so long, with our businesses, the dogs, we were so close in everything we did. 'There was nothing underhand happening, no-one had slept with anyone else. Stephen was the complete opposite to me, and we'd say opposites attracted, but fundamentally that was our problem in the end.' Speaking on Best's Suddenly Single podcast earlier this year, Daniel opened up about their 'traumatic' and 'devastating' shock split as well as his current dating life Confirming he is back on the market, Daniel said: 'Once I got over the shock, in the summer I was going on date after date with all these different types of people, I was on apps all the time, and now I realise I was trying to fill a void. 'Friends took me aside to ask if I was okay. Now I'm happy being single. I love going on dates but I don't need a long term relationship, I need to repair myself a little and learn who I am again. 'The first guy I dated (after Stephen), I went on about six dates with him in London. He was very nice, he knew my situation and it was teenage dating, nothing sexual at all, we'd go somewhere really nice and have a snog in the end. 'He did end it, I think he realised I wasn't in the right frame of mind.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gogglebox's Daniel Lustig-Webb reveals life changing health diagnosis for the first time
GOGGLEBOX'S Daniel Lustig-Webb has revealed a life changing health diagnosis for the first time. Daniel, 50, known for his five-year run on the Channel 4 show, has told fans that he's been completely deaf in one ear since childhood. 5 The TV personality said his hearing loss is a result of mumps he contracted in his youth, which caused an infection that left him with permanent hearing loss in one ear. He explained that for years he kept it a secret due to insecurity and fear of being seen as 'different' or less capable. Daniel said: 'I've been half deaf since I was a child. I got mumps when I was younger, which caused an infection in my ear, and that left me with complete and permanent hearing loss in one ear. "For years, I hid it. I didn't want people to see me as 'different' or less capable. "At school, it was tough, I was often picked on and teachers told me I was 'thick' because I struggled to concentrate, not realising it was because I couldn't hear properly. "It made me really insecure. I thought I was just failing.' Daniel described the social challenges caused by his deafness, explaining: 'Going out with friends, trying to join in conversations at parties, it's exhausting. "You end up guessing what people say or pretending you hear it all. I'd mimic the conversation, hoping no one noticed. But it takes a toll. I've had to learn to listen differently, and sometimes I just switch off.' Following his 50th birthday, Daniel decided to embrace his diagnosis as part of a new chapter in his life. After leaving Gogglebox in 2023 and going through a divorce with OG star Stephen, he has focused on fitness, wellbeing, and self-acceptance. Gogglebox fans go wild as Stephen Lustig-Webb and his ex Daniel reunite just weeks after their shock split Daniel said: 'I feel ready to be open about it. At 50, I feel like it's finally time to stop hiding and to be proud of who I am. "I'm planning to begin learning sign language because I want to connect with the deaf community and support others who might be struggling like I did. Deafness isn't a weakness, it's part of me.' Hearing loss affects nearly 11 million people in the UK, approximately one in six adults. Daniel hopes his openness will help break down the stigma surrounding deafness. He said: 'I want to help break down the myths around deafness. It's not just about the sounds you can't hear, it's about the isolation, the frustration, the way it shapes your world. 5 5 "I've seen how people dismiss deafness because it's 'invisible'. But it's real. It's part of millions of lives. And it should be talked about openly, without shame.' Back in October, Daniel revealed he was back dating again since his marriage split – but admitted there's one thing a new partner will have to 'tolerate.' Daniel told The Sun: 'I was dating someone - if you can even call it that – we went on four dates in London, and it was really fun. 'But that was literally the first guy I dated since the split, so it was a bit of a learning curve. 'We were very similar in age though, we had a lot in common, it was very nice and we had a lot of fun.' But Daniel confessed things between the two of them 'dried up' romantically. The TV star, who said he'd be more than keen to give Celebs Go Dating a go, said people haven't really clocked on to his Gogglebox fame. Asked if he was worried people would swipe right because they'd seen him on the show, Daniel shared: 'The people I have chatted to or met haven't mentioned it on the first or second date, and if they sort of slip it in, I think 'Oh, that's quite cool.' You know what I mean. I don't want dating to be like an interview.' And the single star said he was trying his hardest not to be picky on his dating quest, sometimes unsuccessfully. Daniel added: 'I've been quite open, actually, because in the past I'd be like 'they must be this age, 'they must look like this. But now my age bracket is more open than it used to be. So that's interesting. 'To be honest, I'm not too picky but then when I meet them I can really be picky. Deafness What is deafness? Deafness is a partial or complete loss of the ability to hear. It can affect one or both ears. Causes: Common causes include aging, exposure to loud noise, infections, genetics, or injury. Types: Conductive: Problem with outer or middle ear. Sensorineural: Damage to inner ear or nerve pathways. Mixed: Combination of both. Signs to watch for: Difficulty following conversations, asking others to repeat, turning up volume loud. Treatment options: Hearing aids, cochlear implants, surgery, or therapy — depending on the cause and severity. Did you know? Over 11 million people in the UK suffer some form of hearing loss. Quick tip: Protect your ears from loud noise — use earplugs at concerts and keep volume low on headphones. 'I also don't like all the texting on the apps, I don't want a pen friend!' And the show favourite shared that anyone he dates will also have to accept that he and ex Stephen are still good friends. Daniel playfully added: 'It's something people will just have to put up with. We're business partners and also dog daddy's as we share a dog together. 'When I met Stephen I was still pals with my ex, and he took that on the chin. 'You don't have to be really good friends with these people but you have to respect it. It's some Louis Vuitton baggage!' Daniel doesn't want to 'live on the apps' when it comes to meeting someone knew, instead saying he prefers a more traditional way of going about things. 'I'd like to meet someone out, strolling along the beach with my dog or in a bar, like how it used to be. 'If a friend set me up on a date I'd have to put the parameters out there, and if they got it wrong I'd probably never speak to my friend again!' Despite Daniel's hunt for romance, the star has been busy juggling owning two hair salon businesses, alongside a life in the spotlight as a TV personality. He's recently appeared on The Weakest Link, and shares his desire to one day take to the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor, but 'doesn't feel famous at all.' Daniel added: 'If we're not filming anything or doing anything like life is just the same as everyone elses. 'I'm going out on the beach picking up the dog poo in the rain. I've got to run to get in my car quickly to get to work so I'm not late, you know, living the same life as everyone else.' And on a Gogglebox return? Well, Daniel said 'never say never.' 5 5
