Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig has revealed he has been half deaf since childhood, a disability he kept hidden for decades.
The 50-year-old television personality, who appeared on the Channel 4 programme from 2018 to 2023 alongside his ex-husband Stephen Webb, disclosed the diagnosis earlier this week.
"I've been half deaf since I was a child," said Lustig. "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."
The Hove-based hairdresser explained he had concealed his condition out of fear.
The Hove-based hairdresser explained he had concealed his condition out of fear
"For years, I hid it. I didn't want people to see me as 'different' or less capable," he told People of Prominence.
Lustig's school years were particularly difficult due to his undiagnosed hearing loss. "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," he revealed.
The experience left lasting emotional scars. "It made me really insecure. I thought I was just failing," Lustig admitted.
For decades, he continued to conceal his disability, fearing judgement and discrimination in both personal and professional settings.
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For decades, he continued to conceal his disability, fearing judgement and discrimination in both personal and professional settings
The social toll of his condition has been significant. "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," Lustig explained.
He described having to "mimic the conversation, hoping no one noticed" whilst acknowledging that this pretence "takes a toll".
Now marking his 50th birthday, Lustig has decided to stop concealing his disability. "At 50, I feel like it's finally time to stop hiding and to be proud of who I am," he stated.
The television personality said he feels "ready to be open about it" after years of silence.
Now marking his 50th birthday, Lustig has decided to stop concealing his disability
Lustig plans to learn sign language to connect with the deaf community and support others facing similar struggles.
"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," he said.
He hopes to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those with hearing loss.
"Deafness isn't a weakness, it's part of me," Lustig shared, adding that it's, "part of millions of lives. And it should be talked about openly, without shame."
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, over 18 million UK adults are affected by hearing loss or tinnitus.
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