Connagh Howard has told how he felt “different” to others at school and on Love Island as he wasn’t a “Jack the lad”.
The TV star – who was on the ITV dating show in 2020 – opened up as it was announced that he has become the latest celebrity ambassador for the Sound campaign, a platform encouraging young men to take personal and collective responsibility in ending violence against women.
Connagh’s role recently took him back to his old school in Cardiff to talk to pupils about healthy relationships. Discussing his own experiences, he said he was exposed to a lot of ‘lad’ behaviour around women when he was playing rugby at school and that he struggled to fit in with the other boys in his year group.
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“I have always felt different in that sense – even on Love Island – I felt different and not related to ‘Jack the lad’,” he said. “It was a struggle growing up as I was always the shy one who was too nervous to talk to girls and I lacked confidence.” “It is our responsibility as men to prevent violence against women,” he went on.
The reality star-turned-personal trainer – who is expecting his first baby with partner Beth Dunlavey after undergoing IVF – said he has witnessed female friends experience problematic behaviour from men.
“I have seen women I know experience coercive control or toxic behaviours which isn’t cool but it’s unfortunately too common for a lot of women to go through,” Connagh said. “A lot of it comes from men having insecurities and feeling the need to exert their will over someone else.”
The 32-year-old star said he believes men need to be prepared to speak to their friends about their behaviour, especially on nights out. “I’ve been on nights out and seen groups of lads catcalling women and I’m thinking ‘Oh you look like an idiot’,” he said. “People should call out that behaviour more, how would they feel if it was their daughter?”
(Image: Connagh x Sound)
“It takes a lot of courage to hold someone accountable when you see something that isn’t right,” added the reality TV star. “If you see something and don’t say anything then you aren’t helping the problem.” “If they are really your mates, they should listen to you and take what you say on board because that’s what your friends are for, they should keep you in check and make sure you’re not contributing to the problem,” Connagh went on.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
