Daniel Lustig-Webb has shared the health condition he has hidden for years as he turns 50. The Gogglebox star said he is ‘ready to be open’ about the issue after years of keeping it a secret
Former Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig-Webb has opened up about a hidden health condition he’s been living with for decades. To mark his 50th birthday, Daniel, who appeared on the Channel 4 show for five years alongside his ex-husband Stephen Lustig-Webb, revealed he is completely deaf in one ear.
The fan-favourite’s decision to leave the show in 2023 left viewers disappointed. Now, Daniel is sharing his story, confessing that his condition has significantly impacted his life. He has embarked on a fitness and wellbeing journey centred around self-acceptance and health.
Daniel revealed he has been partially deaf since childhood, which has been a source of insecurity for him. He explained: “I’ve been half deaf since I was a child. I got mumps when I was younger, which caused an infection in my ear, and that left me with complete and permanent hearing loss in one ear. For years, I hid it. I didn’t want people to see me as ‘different’ or less capable.”
Daniel’s experiences at school were challenging, as he faced bullying and criticism from teachers who thought he was “thick” because he struggled to focus, not realising his hearing difficulties were the cause. This led to deep-seated insecurities, making him believe he was failing, reports the Mirror.
Daniel added: “At school, it was tough, I was often picked on and teachers told me I was ‘thick’ because I struggled to concentrate, not realising it was because I couldn’t hear properly. It made me really insecure. I thought I was just failing.”
He also shared how his condition has impacted his social life and confidence, particularly in noisy settings. He said: “Going out with friends, trying to join in conversations at parties, it’s exhausting.
“You end up guessing what people say or pretending you hear it all. I’d mimic the conversation, hoping no one noticed. But it takes a toll. I’ve had to learn to listen differently, and sometimes I just switch off.”
Now at 50, he feels it’s time to be open about his hearing loss. “At 50, I feel like it’s finally time to stop hiding and to be proud of who I am,” he declared.
“I’m planning to begin learning sign language because I want to connect with the deaf community and support others who might be struggling like I did. Deafness isn’t a weakness, it’s part of me.”
Daniel is coming forward with his story as almost 11million people in the UK experience some form of hearing loss, affecting around one in six adults. He hopes that by speaking out, he can help dispel myths and reduce the stigma associated with deafness.
He described the condition as “invisible” and acknowledged it can lead to feelings of isolation. Daniel is now prioritising his health as he ages.
He confessed he is “learning to love and accept” his hearing loss and emphasised the importance of showing others that it’s nothing to be ashamed or scared of.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
