Big Brother contestant Frankie Taber took to the Diary Room to share that he is bisexual on Tuesday night’s episode, airing September 15. He revealed that he entered the show intending to come out and had been carrying feelings of “guilt” and “shame” for up to two years.

Fans have praised Taber’s bravery, with his coming out taking place during Bisexual Visibility Month.

The 23-year-old marketing manager was one of 16 new housemates who joined the Big Brother house during the live launch show on Sunday, September 13.

Taber appeared emotional from the beginning of the episode, admitting he was unable to sleep, while also hinting at a personal reason for joining the show that had already begun to weigh heavily on him.

“I knew it was gonna hit me, but I didn’t think it’d hit me early. It’s hit me straight away,” he told Big Brother. 

He opened up to fellow housemates Johanne and Pauline, telling them, “I feel like I went from a really big high to a really big low last night. Quick and all, the turnaround was weird. I went from high to straight low…

“It has to be done, I have to face myself. I can’t run forever, do you know what I mean?” he added.

 

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Later that night, Taber entered the Diary Room and tearfully revealed why he had chosen to enter the Big Brother house.

“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 a half, two years,” he told Big Brother. 

He continued, “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.”

“Frankie, Big Brother doesn’t think you’ve let anyone down,” Big Brother replied. 

Taber’s coming out has been met with an outpouring of support online, with people taking to social media to voice their support of Frankie and his bravery in opening up about his sexuality on national television.

The Traitors’ Freddie Fraser, who recently came out as bisexual himself, wrote “Big up you, Frankie boy”.

Former Big Brother housemate Sam Ashby shared their support, writing “Aw, Frankie. Someone give him a hug pls.”

Kate Lawler, former Big Brother winner and host of new companion show The Group Chat, also responded to Taber’s emotional coming out: “I feel for Frankie. That Diary Room chat was someone lifting a huge weight off their shoulders; I hope whoever he feels he’s let down is going to give him a hug when they see him next,” Lawler wrote.

Big Brother continues nightly on ITV2 and ITVX.