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Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gogglebox star reveals life-changing health diagnosis he's 'hidden for decades'
Former Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig-Webb has publicly shared that he is deaf in one ear after decades of hiding his health condition. The 50-year-old TV personality rose to fame during his five-year tenure on the hit Channel 4 reality series which he featured on with his ex-husband Stephen Webb from 2018 to 2023. Earlier this week he opened up to his 121,000 Instagram followers about the life-changing childhood diagnosis that has 'shaped his life'. 'I've been half deaf since I was a child,' he said in a new interview. He explained that he contracted mumps when he was younger causing an infection which ultimately led to 'complete and permanent hearing loss in one ear.' Before continuing to Scenemag: '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.' He described trying to keep up in social situations 'exhausting' due to his condition and has at times been 'forced to pretend' he could hear what people were saying which took 'its toll'. 'I've had to learn to listen differently, and sometimes I just switch off,' the Hove-based hairdresser added. '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,' he explained alongside his plans to learn sign language to connect with the wider community. 'Deafness isn't a weakness, it's part of me,' Daniel shared hoping to shed light on the 'isolation and frustration' that comes with being hard of hearing. 'It's part of millions of lives. And it should be talked about openly, without shame,' he continued. The latest figures from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People indicating upwards of 18 million adults across the UK are affected by hearing loss or tinnitus. As he enters a new decade he is 'learning to love and accept all parts of [himself]'. Fans have shared their support for Daniel in the comments on Instagram. 'You should never hide yourself you are a beautiful person inside and out,' jopurdy2 said. 'Be proud and loud, love and hugs,' shared. Earlier this year, Daniel opened up about the impact of his breakup with his ex, Stephen. The pair – who had been together for 11 years and married for six – announced their shock break-up in April 2024 but have remained in each other's lives as friends. More Trending In recent interview, however, Daniel revealed that he 'didn't see [the split] coming' and called the end of their relationship 'devastating' and 'traumatic'. Speaking on podcast Suddenly Single, he said: '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.' View More » In the end, their differences became too much with Daniel adding: 'Stephen was the complete opposite to me, and we'd say opposites attracted, but fundamentally that was our problem in the end.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Hidden gem documentary that inspired 90s comedy legend free to watch on BBC iPlayer MORE: Gogglebox family announce heartbreaking death as fans pay tribute MORE: Paddy McGuinness reveals his unexpected celebrity crush 'he wasn't supposed to have'
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Macbeth review – something wicked this way whizzes as dynamic duo play all the roles
A significant scattering of teenagers attend this show by Out of Chaos, not just because the play is a GCSE staple but also because the touring production trails a reputation for stripping the story to its bare essentials. Staged by Oxford Playhouse's artistic director Mike Tweddle, this Macbeth was developed with students in mind. Two actors take all the roles in a show that is focused to the point of almost miraculous brevity, coming in at just over 80 minutes. The actors in question are Hannah Barrie and Paul O'Mahony (artistic director of the Hove-based Out of Chaos) and yes, they are the only people we see on stage, though they do seek infrequent and low-intensity bits of audience interaction. Straightforwardly blunt devices are used to carve a path through the play's comings and goings: the actors announce the entrance and exit of every character, and resort to some intricate hopping from one stage mark to another when a bit of back-and-forth dialogue is required. With the stage bare other than a lit back wall (with prominent captioning), some bravura lighting from Ashley Bale, much of it impressively atmospheric, and neat creepy-movie style sound dubs from Matt Eaton, the show makes a little go a very long way. O'Mahony (who plays Macbeth) and Barrie (Lady Macbeth) master the mercilessly pruned playtext. Both are tremendous, as they negotiate the contours of overweening ambition, bloodthirsty carnage and paranoid, nightwalking guilt. Amazingly, both manage to switch effortlessly into the lighter bits, with Barrie doing an amusing drunk porter and O'Mahony a nicely snivelling Ross. Clarity and narrative are the main drivers. With everything so compressed there are inevitable sacrifices: gloomy gothic grandeur is largely absent (apart from the dry ice that envelops the auditorium at the start) and more expansive shows would no doubt give more in terms of spectacle. There's no moving forest or spurting gore. Likewise, the weird sisters are pared down to briefly heard disembodied voices (seemingly pre-recorded) that float out of the murk. Some scenes whiz by – you only just register Banquo's ghost before it's on to the next one – but with every ounce of fat trimmed you get one 24-carat scene after another in a seemingly endless profusion. It's like eating the richest steak possible. Macbeth will tour in 2026
