Big Brother winner Cameron Cole has been left with a black eye and a cut face after a shocking attack.
The vlogger, 26, who was crowned the winner of the reality show in 2018, was out celebrating his birthday when he was ‘targeted with homophobia and slurs.’
Sharing an update to Instagram on Friday, Cameron uploaded a photo of his bruised a bloodied face as he recounted what has happened.
The TV personality admitted that despite being shaken and left feeling vulnerable by the attack, he hoped sharing his story would help raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community.
Alongside the photos he wrote: ‘I had a beautiful birthday surrounded by love, yet still came face-to-face with people who chose hate and violence!
‘They targeted me with homophobia and slurs, and later attacked me when I was alone.’
Big Brother winner Cameron Cole has been left with a black eye and a cut face after a shocking attack
The vlogger, 26, who was crowned the winner of the reality show in 2018, was out celebrating his birthday when he was ‘targeted with homophobia and slurs’
Cameron continued: ‘It shook me. It made me feel vulnerable in a way no one should ever have to feel, especially not for just existing and being me, I thank my friend (CARZ) for looking after me and taking care of me, but it should never of come to that.
‘But here’s what I realised: this isn’t just about me, or just about the LGBTQ+ community.
‘It’s about every minority, every marginalised voice, everyone who has been told they don’t belong, the politics, the government, the people, they want to divide us but they will not win.
‘It was my birthday and I had a wonderful day but the attack has shaken me but it’s given me a fire and fight to fight these people off. You will not win. Keep trying but you will fail!’
Cameron was crowned the Big Brother series champion in 2018 when he was just 19-years-old.
He broke down in tears mere seconds after it was announced that he had won and told host Emma Willis that it was the best experience of his life as a lifelong fan of the show.
Cameron also paid tribute to ‘his own Big Brother’ Lewis Flanagan who helped him through the turbulent experience.
Speaking to Emma he said: ‘I’m completely and utterly shell shocked this is the most incredible feeling of my life, I thought I’d be out the first week.’
The TV personality admitted that despite being shaken and left feeling vulnerable by the attack, he hoped sharing his story would help raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community
He added: ‘I thought we’d be out, a bit irritating annoying, I didn’t think I was going to fit in, the housemates I loved all of of them it’s been the most incredible house, I wouldn’t been able to do it without them.
‘This is the like the miracle, I don’t know what to say. I got what I expected and a hundred times more, an unbelievably positive way, it’s the most life changing experience in the world, the situations you find yourself him, I am so so grateful.’
Emma also touched on Cameron’s incredibly close friendship with Lewis F, saying that it seemed the pair helped each other through the show.
He added: ‘I love him to bits I absolutely love him to bits I cannot thank him enough for what he did to me.
‘It was a brotherhood as soon as I walked down the steps and it was an instant connection we did everything together. Almost too perfect he is incredible I love him to bits and I’m so glad I’ve been able to win for him. I still think this a prank, a massive prank.’
In a moment that left viewers in tears, Cameron came out to the house earlier in the series after first opening up to Lewis about his sexuality, and said it was that support that helped him take the plunge.
He added: ‘I definitely I’d never have done it without him, I’d never been so comfortable to help me the way he did and help me do I’d never be so grateful.
‘I planned not to say anything about it, what I forgot is that 24/7 cameras are everywhere you can’t go into your bedroom and cry about it.’
