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Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Angellica Bell swipes at Martin Lewis as she reacts to savage show sacking
TV presenter Angelica Bell has opened up about how she was 'hurt' after being brutally axed from The Martin Lewis Money Show in 2023 as she felt shunned by her former colleagues Angellica Bell has taken aim at Martin Lewis after her brutal sacking from his ITV money saving show. The 49-year-old TV presenter was seen breaking down in the Diary Room on her recent stint on Celebrity Big Brother as she confessed her feelings on her 'secret sacking' from The Martin Lewis Money Show in 2023. The star found out just days before filming commenced that she was being given the axe. Producers claimed that Angellica had created a conflict of interest by appearing on Channel 5's The Gadget Show, which was rebranded to become Shop Smart, Save Money. Now Angellica has confessed that she felt hurt and let down by the people she had worked with as she slammed them for showing no consideration to her after her departure. She said: 'I think I was hurt because it wasn't my fault. You work with people, you go through so much and build up bonds, and when that's gone, with no card, no thanks, it's really hard." Speaking to The Sun Angellica continued: 'I'm a nobody in this business – I'm at the bottom of the food chain, so when it changed, it changed a lot for me, not just emotionally, but financially, too. "When you love something – you love the show, the audience and the people who work on it – and then it's gone. . . I was sad.' However, she confirmed she hasn't held a grudge and "respects" the decision that was made to sack her in such brutal fashion. She said: 'Things happen, things change. I respect the decision, but I think the way it was handled. . . People need to take care of people's feelings. 'I always try to treat people how I want to be treated. Sometimes, I put other people's feelings above mine. But not everyone works the same way. It is what it is.' Angellica found herself doing CBB so that she could show audiences the real her after what she had been through. She admitted she had 'never been offered a reality show before,' and that when she was approached to appear on Celebrity Big Brother she found herself questioning why they would invite her to appear as she "would never class myself as a celebrity." But as a fan of the show she decided to take the plunge despite her 'fear of the unknown," and how "the last couple of years have been a bit tricky." Angellica added: 'I wanted to find and reconnect with myself, and I thought: 'Maybe this is the time that I need to just be me.' I've done a lot of growing up in this business and I thought this would be a chance to have fun and to relinquish control. "I'm so chuffed I did it, I had the best time. I lasted longer than I thought I would, and I made some connections with people I never expected.'
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Angellica Bell's VERY barbed comment to Martin Lewis after ‘secret sacking' & sad reason hubby Michael Underwood quit TV
THERE'S no denying Angellica Bell is made of strong stuff – after all, you have to be pretty resilient to survive 25 years in the often-brutal TV business. But she's not afraid to reveal her more vulnerable side either, as anyone who watched her on the recent series of Celebrity Big Brother can attest. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Celebrity Big Brother's Angellica Bell talks hitting rock-bottom and finding her mojo after losing her TV job Credit: Mark Hayman 8 The TV presenter was 'secretly sacked' from The Martin Lewis Money Show Credit: Getty 8 Despite the 'sacking' clearly knocking her confidence, Angellica is pragmatic about the situation and holds no grudges. Credit: Mark Hayman The TV presenter and mum of two – who never names her children to protect their privacy – broke down in the Diary Room as she spoke about her 'secret sacking' from The Martin Lewis Money Show in 2023. Producers claimed an appearance by Angellica on Channel 5's The Gadget Show, which was rebranded as Shop Smart, Save Money, represented a conflict of interest. She was told just a few days before filming was due to begin on Martin Lewis' show that she was no longer required. Opening up for the first time about that period, she says: 'I think I was hurt because it wasn't my fault. You work with people, you go through so much and build up bonds, and when that's gone, with no card, no thanks, it's really hard. 'I'm a nobody in this business – I'm at the bottom of the food chain, so when it changed, it changed a lot for me, not just emotionally, but financially, too. When you love something – you love the show, the audience and the people who work on it – and then it's gone. . . I was sad.' Despite it clearly knocking her confidence, Angellica, 49, is pragmatic about the situation and holds no grudges. 'Things happen, things change. I respect the decision, but I think the way it was handled. . . People need to take care of people's feelings,' she says. 'I always try to treat people how I want to be treated. Sometimes, I put other people's feelings above mine. 'But not everyone works the same way. It is what it is.' Doing CBB seemed the perfect way for Angellica to move on and show audiences what she's really like. New CBB feud as housemate takes savage swipe at Chris Hughes and says he knows how to 'influence people' 'I've never been offered a reality show before,' she explains. 'When I was approached by Celebrity Big Brother, I was like: 'Why would anyone want me in there?' I would never class myself as a celebrity. I'm just Angellica. But I am a Big Brother fan and I've watched the shows over the years. 'There was a fear of the unknown, because I haven't been seen in that light before, and the last couple of years have been a bit tricky. 'I wanted to find and reconnect with myself, and I thought: 'Maybe this is the time that I need to just be me.' I've done a lot of growing up in this business and I thought this would be a chance to have fun and to relinquish control. 'I'm so chuffed I did it, I had the best time. I lasted longer than I thought I would, and I made some connections with people I never expected.' One of the biggest talking points of the series – which also featured Patsy Palmer, Chesney Hawkes and eventual winner Jack P Shepherd – was Love Island's Chris Hughes' friendship with Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa. Does Angellica think it could go beyond being platonic? 'They have the same sense of humour. They like to mess around and have fun. What she said on This Morning about them being soulmates is exactly what she said to me,' she explains. 'They were a source of support for each other. JoJo is open to everything, and she's young and the world is her oyster, so let's see what the future holds. It seemed genuine to me. 'I had a daily dance lesson with JoJo, she taught me to jive! She'd get up and go: 'Babe, you ready? Let's do this.' I had a great time with them both.' Of course, the Big Brother house is never short on drama, and Angellica found herself at the centre of it when comedian Donna Preston nominated her for being too 'loud'. Angellica promptly retaliated by banging a pan in the bedroom to wake the housemates, much to Donna's annoyance. 8 The Big Brother house is never short on drama, and Angellica found herself at the centre of it Credit: Mark Hayman 8 Doing CBB seemed the perfect way for Angellica to move on and show audiences what she's really like Credit: Shutterstock 'I was just having a laugh,' she says. 'I thought because she's into comedy, she'd think it's funny. Maybe I read that wrong! 'JoJo got the pan for me, Chris was saying: 'You've got to do it'. Even Chesney was encouraging me, so we just thought it would be fun. But bless Donna, she made it clear she was not happy.' The other big drama of the series was Mickey Rourke, who was removed for 'unacceptable behaviour' and 'inappropriate language', after run-ins with Chris, and making a 'sexual remark' to TOWIE's Ella Rae Wise. But Angellica says she got on well with the Hollywood star. 'Mickey was very nice to me, he even gave me one of his jumpers,' she says. 'He would talk to me and open up. [When he was un-PC or wouldn't get involved in the tasks], I would say: 'Dude, that's not cool. You can't do that.' 'I don't know whether that's because he didn't see me as a threat or he wasn't interested in me. You don't want him to feel excluded, but at the same time you have to be respectful of other people's feelings. But it did feel lighter when he left, people relaxed.' 'I once skinny-dipped in Rylan's pool with Alan Carr!' She says: 'There were people who felt uncomfortable and I think that, at the end of the day, there are rules of behaviour and we have to adhere to them. When you're with other people from different backgrounds, who have different moral codes and are comfortable with different things, you have to adapt. It was interesting to see who could adapt and who couldn't.' There was much discussion this year over game plans – did she have a strategy? 'Jack P Shepherd knew loads about it from Colson [Smith, his Corrie co-star, who was runner-up last year]. I didn't have a plan, I just surrendered. And that's what I loved about it. Being in the Diary Room was really iconic for me. 'I've been to Rylan's house. He's a good friend and a proper Big Brother fan – he's got some of the chairs – but he didn't give me any advice. I once skinny-dipped in his pool with Alan Carr!' Naked swimming with two comedy legends sounds like quite the story. . . 'I have a wild side,' she says. 'A lot of people know me from my job on TV, but in my day-to-day life, people say: 'You are so different.' I think there's nothing wrong with having many facets to your character.' During her spell in the CBB house, Angellica was being supported on social media by her husband of nearly 15 years, former TV presenter Michael Underwood, 49. Once the host of ITV's Let Me Entertain You, he quit the industry in 2020 after struggling to find work, and instead became a teacher. WORK DRIED UP At the time, Michael spoke about feeling like a 'failure' for not being able to make his career work or 'provide for his family.' 'There is a shift – a lot of women now are taking on those roles with their earnings,' says Angellica. 'And I know a lot of amazing men who are staying at home and looking after the family and doing a fantastic job. Sometimes men who do that don't get enough credit. 'At that time, I used to think: 'Gosh, I'm the worst wife he could have'. Not because there wasn't love, but because Michael really wanted to be a TV presenter while I sort of fell into it. I'm easy-come, easy-go. If my career goes tomorrow, I'll go and find work somewhere else. I'm a grafter.' People didn't even realise Michael and I were still together until CBB. Angellica continues: 'But for him, it was a goal, and when you really want something and it doesn't work, it can feel like your world is crumbling. 'I remember, we were nearly selling our house. I'll be honest, we were broke. That's not being a defeatist, that's real life. He said: 'No, we're not going to give up.' 'I was up for a job, and I remember them ringing me and saying: 'You didn't get it.' I cried on the phone, but the person they gave the job to was brilliant. They had another show, so I said: 'No, I get it. You need to build them up. I don't want them to fail. If I was a producer I'd do the same.' 'The BBC boss got off the phone to me and went to the commissioner at the BBC and said: 'You need to give Angellica a job,' because of the way I was about it. And the list for 2017's Celebrity MasterChef was on that person's desk. He remembered I used to bake cakes when I was on The One Show, so I did MasterChef and I won! That changed everything. 'Michael had a teaching degree, so he went back to that. It's weird, because some people didn't even think we were still together until CBB. He took a back seat while he carved out his new career, because he did feel like he had failed and he was embarrassed. But we've had so many amazing people support us behind the scenes. 'Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes were always there for us, just supportive little texts telling us to keep going. Then Chris Evans came to our little house after work when Black Lives Matter happened, and we were so moved by that.' 8 Michael spoke about feeling like a 'failure' for not being able to make his career work or 'provide for his family' Credit: Angellica Bell/ Instagram 8 Angellica Bell skinny dipping with Rylan Clark and Alan Carr Credit: Angellica Bell/Instagram 8 Angellica and Michael were a staple of children's TV Could we see Michael make a return to TV, we wonder? 'His TikTok videos got a great reaction,' she says. 'It's been great for him to remember all the great stuff he's done, but he's like: 'Right I've done that, and now I'm back to teaching.' 'But I would love to see him do the jungle [I'm A Celebrity. . . Get Me Out Of Here!]. He'd be so good – he's got some fears, though, so I'd vote for him to be covered in spiders! Plus, he's interviewed all the big stars, so he's got such good stories.' Starting off as a roving reporter on The Big Breakfast in the '90s, before moving into children's telly and CBBC, where she met her husband-to-be, Angellica has been a true trailblazer, forging a path for young black women in the entertainment industry. Did she ever struggle because of her race? 'When I was on CBBC, I didn't walk into the studio and think: 'I'm female, I'm black, I'm this, I'm that.' I just thought: 'I'm Angellica and I want you to love me for being me.' 'On CBBC, there were so many different people from different races and backgrounds. But then I was told to enjoy kids' TV – because they will never put a black person on prime time. I remember filming once and the producer said to me: 'Can you do that again, but be less urban?' she says. 'And I want to thank anyone who said anything negative or tried to push me down – because they gave me the drive to keep going.'
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Celebrity Big Brother's Danny Beard reveals the lessons he learnt from the death of best friend The Vivienne, why he STILL has time for Mickey Rourke and learning to be loved out of drag
Within seconds of Danny Beard entering the Mail's offices, it's clear to see why his Celebrity Big Brother housemates warmed to him so quickly - his personality is infectious. It's perhaps not surprising that a drag queen is a pro at commanding a room, but what's unusual now, is that Danny is not in drag. Danny - who uses he/they pronouns when out of drag - is standing in front of me as the stripped back, vulnerable and raw, Daniel Curtis - the person behind Danny Beard. I first came to know of Danny, along with millions of others, when he swept to victory on the fourth series of RuPaul 's Drag Race UK in 2022. With his distinctive makeup, giant wigs and cheeky wise quips, it was clear Danny Beard was a force to be reckoned with. Yet on Celebrity Big Brother, Danny decided to spend the next three weeks in the social experiment as themselves - showing the public a whole other side. It's a move that went down a treat, with viewers voting Danny to second place. He was just pipped to the post by Coronation Street's Jack P. Shepherd, who won by a tiny two percent margin. 'I was robbed!' Danny laughs, with a twinkle in his eye. 'Mugged! But jokes aside, Jack is an incredible winner. 'I'm so pleased for him. He's a nice guy. He was himself the whole time. And he's been on telly for 25 years, so to be sat next to someone that iconic, I'm blessed.' It's true that the public got to see a different side to Jack - it must be hard shaking off being known only as the villainous David Platt. Yet the same can be said for Danny - and in the final few days, viewers witnessed a touching moment when he broke down discussing being accepted outside of drag. Addressing his vulnerability, Danny continues: 'I think I had the best training in the world doing a show like Drag Race. 'Drag Race teaches you the importance of showcasing your talent, but also showcasing your vulnerability, because that's where connections are made with people. I found it comforting. 'The best part of doing any kind of TV show to me is always making friends with the crew and production, but that's one thing you don't have on Big Brother. 'The Diary Room is just a black room with a camera, and so that really does become your stream of consciousness, your confidante.' And there was certainly a lot to confide in Big Brother about - including controversial housemate Mickey Rourke. The Hollywood actor, 72, was kicked off the show in the first week after hurling homophobic slurs at 21-year-old queer popstar JoJo Siwa, making sexual remarks towards TOWIE's Ella Rae Wise, and squaring up to Love Island's Chris Hughes. So some may be surprised that Danny, who champions himself on being inclusive, has offered out his phone number to the actor. 'Listen, I didn't agree with everything the man said or did,' Danny explains. 'But there's a part of me that really saw into Mickey's soul. And I think he just needed a bit of looking after.' But, I have to ask, surely there are times he felt uncomfortable around Mickey? 'I felt comfortable enough,' Danny continues. 'Certainly after the first time when I'd had a word with him in the garden [after his slurs towards JoJo]. 'I was like, "this isn't about you. This isn't about your feelings. You've made someone feel a certain way." 'And it kind of got into him. And I think he kind of respected that I didn't pussyfoot around him. I think actually that was the start of a little blossoming friendship. 'Again, I don't agree with everything he said or did, but had I gone in all guns blazing, we'd have gotten nowhere. 'In fact, when he was removed from the house, I felt like we were actually breaking through. 'I get he's a grown man. I get he's a Hollywood star, but I could kind of see through that a bit. And I really felt for him. I think he just was a bit lost.' I first came to know of Danny, along with millions of others, when he swept to victory on the fourth series of RuPaul 's Drag Race UK in 2022 Danny also made an unlikely friend in former Conservative MP Michael Fabricant. 'If you'd have told me three weeks ago I'd have an ex-Tory MP in my phone...' Danny laughs. 'The truth is, I thought I was this real open book. I'm all for everyone, but actually I would have written off a Tory like that... but I had a lot more in common with Michael Fabricant than I would have been willing to admit. 'I admired him as an older bisexual man, older, of very old age,' he laughs. 'I've got to be thankful for someone like that because the life he's lived, he's made it possible for me to be a young guy that can be myself on the telly. 'If I was born before I wouldn't have been able to be me if it wasn't for people like Michael. 'So while all of our political views don't align, the things I admire about him, there are things we connected with him on, and I think that's great.' In turn, Danny has also helped younger members of the LGBTQ community. One notable moment in the house, came when JoJo opened up to Danny about questioning her sexuality, admitting she now considers her identity as queer rather than a lesbian. Explaining that it's not the first time Danny has had such a conversation, he continues: 'I've been a drag queen for over 10 years. 'I've cut my teeth in gay bars, small queer spaces up and down this country and when you go through that route, this is a conversation I've had - I couldn't tell you how many times I've spoken to younger ones in the club. 'So I've had that convo before. That's the community I'm from. We just help each other out. When I was coming up through that scene, peopled help me. That's what we do. We pass it on.' While Danny and JoJo shared a tender moment with each other, there was tension when the Dance Moms star ended up delivering a killer nomination to Danny during face-to-face nominations, ensuring they'd end up for the public vote. Yet Danny holds no grudges. 'I don't hate the player, I hate the game,' they laugh. 'I'm a massive fan of Big Brother, but I didn't think I'd find it so hard to nominate. That whole process made me feel upset.' The pair have exchanged numbers and Danny hopes to visit her in Los Angeles. So what does Danny make of the situation between JoJo and Chris? The pair's flirty antics raised eyebrows in the house and the rumour mill went into overdrive when JoJo dumped her partner Kath Ebbs at the CBB wrap party. Yet following the duo's claims that they are 'platonic soulmates', Danny can't understand the fascination. 'I think whatever they want to do is between them - if they want to remain friends, or if they never want to speak to each other again, that's between them. 'I don't get the fascination! Leave them to it.' Danny adds of JoJo: 'This girl has been working since she was five and she's got an amazing head on her shoulders. 'Chris was there for her and she needed him, and I think he needed her. So for them to have each other as friends, however weird it may look to other people, let them have fun.' One thing the scenario has done, however, is cement Danny's love for their boyfriend Kye. 'I love my partner,' he gushes. 'I missed him every single day. Every single night I kissed his picture! 'The house made me realise how strong a lot of my relationships are, actually. Not just with my boyfriend. 'I have people around me that have supported me and loved me for so long, and I speak to them all of the time. 'So to be put in a situation where that's taken away from you, you have nothing but your own thoughts. 'So I'm incredibly proud of the journey I've been on to come out to this reaction.' Now, Danny is focused on the future and is hoping to front a cabaret style late night TV show. 'I just love entertaining people and making people feel good,' he muses. 'Because when they feel good, I feel good.' This attitude is one that Danny hopes to live by. We find ourselves discussing the legacy he wants to leave behind. The topic of death, while morbid, hangs in the air. When we speak, it's been only a day since the tragic death of fellow Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente. Bianca Castro, rose to fame in 2011 on the US version of the show, but tragically died on Sunday morning at the age of 43, just days after having their right leg amputated due to a 'severe infection'. Meanwhile, fellow Drag Race star and one of Danny's closest friends James Lee Williams - known as The Vivienne - tragically passed away in January after suffering a cardiac arrest caused by ketamine. Discussing their death, Danny chokes up. 'I hope one thing I took from Viv,' he starts. 'Is she would not have believed the outpouring of love when she passed away. She wouldn't have. 'She would not have realised from corner to corner of this globe, people would have celebrated her. 'And I took from that - tell your friends now that you love them, tell your friends now how proud you are of them. We don't do that. We always wait until it's too late. 'So if I put myself in that position, what would my legacy be? I'd like people to go, "God, they were fun. God, they made me laugh. God, when I saw that show, it was such a good night". 'Because that's the power of entertainment. I'm just lucky that this is my job. 'It's saved me in many ways that you will never know. It's kept me on the straight and narrow.' And there seems to bring a natural end to our chat. Danny it as at peace with who he is and who he hopes to become in the future - something we should all aspire to be.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
CBB's JoJo Siwa reveals unaired row with Mickey Rourke that left her ‘shook up'
Shan Ally, Showbiz Reporter Published: Invalid Date, CELEBRITY Big Brother star JoJo Siwa has revealed an unaired row with Mickey Rouke that "tipped her over the edge". The Dance Moms star, 21, and the Hollywood actor clashed during their time on the show after he made a repeated 'homophobic slur'. 5 5 5 JoJo has claimed that Mickey told her that he wanted to "offend" her as she branded him a "messed up man". Speaking on the Viall Files podcast, JoJo said about her time with Mickey: "He was just bizarre, he's a character, what is he doing. "Then the next day is when he turned." After a couple of awkward interactions with him, JoJo was stunned with Mickey's behaviour during an exchange in the garden. She said: "He [Mickey] is sitting and me and Michael are sitting on the benches... and that's when he made his first smart remarks. "I believe the first ones he said was 'the lesbian over there', you don't want to point somebody out as a lesbian. "It doesn't offend me at all, but it's just a heads up... he then double down on it and then made a joke using the F slur, then I was like 'I don't want anything to do with this man'. JoJo was left "shook up" when an alleged conversation took place between her and Mickey later that day that wasn't aired. She continued: "What really tipped me over the edge is he then said to me, 'I knew what I was saying and that's why I said it'. Mickey Rourke's Celebrity Big Brother pay cheque revealed after bosses SLASH fee JoJo claimed that Mickey told her: "I wanted to offend you. I knew it was going to offend you, and that's why I wanted to do it. I like poking at a bear." The dancer revealed: "None of that made it [to air]," and admitted the moment "shook [her] up". The Sun have contacted Mickey's rep for comment. During the episode, US singer JoJo broke down in tears after Mickey made repeated homophobic slurs towards her. He asked the 21-year-old: "Do you like girls or boys?" JoJo replied: "Me? Girls. My partner is non-binary." Mickey then told her: "If I stay longer than four days, you won't be gay anymore.' As he spoke to Chris Hughes about the eviction process, he declared: '"I'm going to vote the lesbian out real quick.' A stunned JoJo told him his comment was homophobic and Chris, 32, told him: 'You can't say that.' Undeterred, Mickey then said 'I need a fag' before looking at JoJo and adding: 'I'm not talking to you.' He was immediately called to the Diary Room, where Big Brother told him: 'Mickey, Big Brother thinks your language was offensive and unacceptable. "As a result, Big Brother is giving you a formal warning. "Further language or behaviour of this nature could lead to you being removed from the Big Brother house.' AXED FROM BIG BROTHER Mickey agreed he would leave the Big Brother house after an altercation with fellow housemate Chris Hughes, 32. The actor squared up to the Love Island star following a misunderstanding during the weekly shopping task. Mickey was also heard making a sexual remark to Towie's Ella Rae Wise, 24. After being reprimanded by Big Brother, the actor admitted he had been out of line and was sorry. 'I apologise. I'm sorry. I can't take it back, you know, I stepped over the line," Mickey admitted. 'Cause I lost my temper, and I've been trying to work on it my whole life. 'I'm ashamed of myself for losing it for a few seconds there. Nobody got touched or hurt.' Despite his apology, Mickey was still asked to leave the house immediately in scenes that aired on Sunday night. PAY FURY The Wrestler star could see his fee reduced from £500,000 all the way to £50,000. A source said: 'Mickey didn't do Celebrity Big Brother for the experience and was counting on that money. 'He's lost a huge amount by leaving the show early. It was worked out on a pro rata basis. "Conversations are ongoing so the fee may change but a contract is a contract.' Despite the fact his fee could be slashed dramatically, Mickey still flew back to the US in first class. The Sun revealed the actor was keen to make a quick escape back to America. In our pictures, Mickey can be seen strolling into the first class lounge at Heathrow with his huge haul of luggage in tow. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world as he waved to onlookers before jetting back home. 5 5
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
JoJo Siwa spills on late-night bedroom antics with Chris Hughes that never aired on ITV
Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa has revealed that several intimate late-night interactions with fellow Celebrity Big Brother housemate Chris Hughes were never shown on TV JoJo Siwa has lifted the lid on intimate moments from the Celebrity Big Brother house that didn't make it to air - including some cryptic handwritten messages shared with fellow contestant Chris Hughes. Appearing on The Useless Hotline Podcast, the Dance Moms alum confessed that what fans saw was only part of the story. According to JoJo, she and Chris exchanged a series of secret messages under the cover of darkness - far more than what viewers might expect. 'In those first few nights, we were just chatting for fun,' JoJo recalled. 'I don't really remember the exact word or words I scribbled, but I can tell you this: I wrote a lot more than people think. There was a whole hand conversation going on that night - not just four letters.' Curious fans have been trying to decode the brief message seen on camera, but JoJo insists they're missing the bigger picture. 'People keep asking, 'What were the four letters? What did you mean?' And I'm like, 'No, no, no, babe.'' This low-key method of communication didn't go unnoticed. The Big Brother team penalised JoJo and Chris for the rule-breaking stunt by forcing them to communicate only through megaphones for a period of time. In the Diary Room, JoJo was asked directly what she had written on Chris's hand. Her response was strikingly candid: 'It's something that I'm not ready necessarily to be open about or upfront about but it has to do with gender and how do I feel.' She elaborated, visibly wrestling with her thoughts. 'Let's put it this way. Oh my God, this is a lot. Essentially, you have female, you have male. I've met a lot of females and love them but don't feel like I'm them. Met a lot of males, love them but definitely not them.' Then came her revelation. 'I've met a lot of people in my life that are non-binary and these beautiful non-binary people are who I feel the most like. It's not something that I want to say about myself yet but it's something that is confusing. So, that's probably why we were talking about it last night.' The show's response was compassionate. 'JoJo, thank you for being so honest and sharing with Big Brother,' the voice of Big Brother told her. It comes after Chris hit back after trolls branded his 11-year age gap with JoJo as "creepy". Chris, 32, and JoJo, 21, have been at the centre of romance rumours since forming a close friendship inside the Big Brother house - which involved intimacies such as massages and forehead kisses. The pair have continued to see each other since the show's final on Friday, which has fuelled further speculation about the nature of their relationship. Chris found himself the target of online abuse after JoJo was spotted leaving the UK yesterday wearing his clothes. A troll commented under a photo of them playing tennis, claiming their friendship was "inappropriate". Chris quickly fired back, saying: "I have friends who are 50+ too, you weirdo." Despite all the speculation, both JoJo and Chris have insisted their bond is purely platonic. During an appearance on This Morning Chris explained: "It's just a really strong bond between two people, which is just a strong friendship. And I think you can have like a soulmate friendship. And to me it's like that energy of where it's not like the standard friendship that you have with your friends. But you know it's still a friendship, and it's just nice."
