Hughie Maughan has revealed how he has changed the traveller community.
The Dubliner found fame on Big Brother, where he admitted that he had told his family just before entering the house that he was bisexual
Hee chatted to Goss.ie about how others in his community have come out because of his bravery.
“I never planned on doing that but others have come to me about it,” he said about helping others come out.
Big prize: Hughie admitted others in the travelling community have reached out to him | RTE
Hughie explained that he may not have won Big Brother, but he won a greater prize helping others reveal their true selves.
“That to me is more than winning the show. That’s the big prize out of [DWTS] and Big Brother,” he told Goss.ie.
“If I could show anybody that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you don’t have to live a particular way.
“If I can show some that whether that’s a religion or ethnicity, you can be yourself – that’s an incredible achievement.
“So many others have come out [in the traveller community] – one in my own family.”
Engaged: Hughie and Ryan haven’t spoken about their engagement publicly | VIPIRELAND.COM
The reality star is engaged to fellow Big Brother contestant Ryan Ruckledge – and their romance first blossomed on the show.
“No date set yet – we’ll see what happens,” he said when asked how wedding plans are going.
“I suppose that was a moment for us we never spoke about how it happened publicly.
“Even though we’ve been offered to be paid to speak about it, we never did.
“Big Brother] can push you more together or away because it’s not a normal place – it’s like your in space, the normal world doesn’t exist anymore.
Normal doesn’t exist: Hughie and Ryan found love in a strange place | CHANNEL 5
Hughie also admitted the great support that he receives from his partner and that he also supports Ryan.
“He’s so supportive, so proud. He has stuff coming up this year, he’s hoping to go on a massive programme in the UK.
“I support him and he supports me,” he added.
Dancing With The Stars returns this Sunday on RTE 1 from 6.30pm.
