Big Brother’s Glyn Wise to Be Ordained a Deacon Nearly 20 Years After Reality Show

Big Brother’s Glyn Wise is set to be ordained a deacon as he trains to become a priest it was announced on Friday – almost 20 years after he appeared on the reality show. 

Glyn, who came second on the reality show back in 2006, first announced that he is was in the process of training to be a catholic priest in his native Wales back in 2022. 

During a service at St Asaph Cathedral, north Wales, on Saturday June 28 he will be formally recognised and commissioned. 

He will then continue his training to be a priest in the Aled Mission Area around Old Colwyn and Betws yn Rhos, the diocese of St Asaph reports. 

The former reality star has completed a 770km walk from the French Camino to Santiago de Compostela in Spain which took him 22 days. 

The 2006 series of Big Brother was hosted by Davina McCall and featured an array of famous housemates including Imogen Thomas, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and the late Nikki Grahame. 

Big Brother’s Glyn Wise is set to be ordained a deacon as he trains to become a priest it was announced on Friday – almost 20 years after he appeared on the reality show

Glyn, who came second on the reality show back in 2006 (pictured), first announced that he is was in the process of training to be a catholic priest in his native Wales back in 2022

Glyn previously admitted his decision to embrace Christianity and become a priest began after he lost himself to the whirlwind of publicity after his appearance on the hit reality show. 

The Welshman was just 18-years old when he appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother – then a hugely popular Channel 4 flagship – in 2006, finishing runner-up to winner Pete Bennett. 

Glyn, a Christian since birth, turned his back on public life, opting instead to devote himself to God.

But he admitted to losing touch with his faith while being filmed 24-hours a day, and would often pray beneath the sanctuary of his duvet because he feared being mocked for his faith. 

He told MailOnline when he began his training in 2022: ‘I had so much faith and determination to get a place on TV’s biggest reality show. 

‘I prayed and as always – God was listening. He guided me through the audition process easily until I entered the show. 

‘Back in 2006, one in four of the population would watch reality TV. I prayed for God to guide me through the game show and eventually, after three months of being locked in a house I finished as runner-up. 

‘However, I prayed under the covers as I thought “being cool” was more important than being a Christian, which I heavily regret.’  

During a service at St Asaph Cathedral, north Wales, on Saturday June 28 he will be formally recognised and commissioned

OThe Welshman was just 18-years old when he appeared on the Channel 4 show and previously admitted he lost himself to the whirlwind of publicity (pictured in 2006)

After spending his childhood in rural Wales, Glyn was quickly swept up by London’s hectic party scene as he adjusted to life in the public eye following his appearance in the Big Brother compound. 

However he struggled to adapt to his newfound celebrity status and admits his devout attachment to Christianity was all but forgotten as he attended non-stop red carpet events, exclusive parties and premieres. 

He said: ‘After the show, I was thrust into the spotlight. I was a guest on all UK TV and radio shows. I won a contract with a Calvin Klein modelling agency; I was a youth radio host for BBC Radio Cymru and I was given the tile of ‘Ambassador of the Welsh Language’ by Rhodri Morgan, Wales’ first minster. 

‘I was invited to all sorts of parties and movie premieres – but deep down I felt lonely. During this period I left my faith behind. I had lost the real me in the middle of the glitz and glamour of fame. I needed to get back on track. 

‘I had become someone I hardly recognised, but yet everyone else felt as though they knew me.’