Big Brother winner Cameron Cole left with black eye after vicious homophobic attack
– 2 min read
Cameron Cole, the winner of Big Brother 2018, has spoken out after being left with a black eye and facial injuries following a shocking homophobic attack while celebrating his birthday.
The 26-year-old vlogger, who made history as the youngest winner of the reality series and came out as gay during his time in the Big Brother house, shared the harrowing experience with his followers on Instagram. Cole revealed that what began as a joyful birthday celebration ended in violence after he was targeted with homophobic slurs and later assaulted when alone.
Posting images of his injuries, Cole 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.”
The attack, which left him visibly bruised and shaken, has prompted Cole to speak out against the rise in hate crimes and the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. “It made me feel vulnerable in a way no one should ever have to feel, especially not for just existing and being me,” he said. “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.”
Despite the trauma, Cole expressed gratitude for the support he received from friends and followers, particularly thanking a friend named CARZ for their care in the aftermath. “I am still here. I am hurting but I am fighting,” he added in a follow-up post. “You have helped me feel less alone at a moment when I was slipping back into old darkness.”
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in the UK. According to recent Home Office statistics, hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have seen a concerning rise, with over 17,000 incidents reported in 2020/21 alone - a figure believed to be significantly underreported.
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If you or someone you know has been affected by hate crime, support is available through organisations such as the LGBT Foundation (0345 3 30 30 30) and Galop (0800 999 5428).
