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The Sun
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Big Brother star set to be ordained a deacon after becoming a vicar – 20 years after finishing runner-up on reality show
A BIG Brother fan-favourite is set to be ordained as a deacon as he continues on the journey of a huge career change. The 2006 show star has opted for life as a man of the cloth almost 20 years after finding fame on the reality TV series. 6 6 6 Glyn Wise, 37, who previously told how he "prayed my way onto Big Brother", is now in the midst of training to be a priest himself - a mission he started five years ago. At a service at St Asaph Cathedral, in north Wales, on Saturday June 28 he will be formally recognised and commissioned. After the ceremony Glyn, who finished runner-up in his Big Brother experience, will be empowered by the church to serve in a ministry of service, liturgy and proclamation of God's word. The work of a deacon focusses on spreading and serving the Church in poor and marginalised communities. Glyn's next stage of training will see him based in the Aled Mission Area around Old Colwyn and Betws yn Rhos, according to the diocese of St Asaph. He has already completed a 770km pilgrimage to the iconic Santiago de Compostela in Spain, believed to be the burial site of the apostle St James, as part of his faith journey. DIVINE INTERVENTION Glyn previously spoke out about his work at a church in Camden, London. And recently, he told how he prayed for a spot on the reality TV series which saw him rocket to fame. Speaking on This Morning in 2022 about how faith has always been a huge part of his life, Glyn said: 'I grew up in a religious family and I prayed my way onto Big Brother. "I was asking God can you please just get me into Big Brother. Pete, Glyn and Victor appear on Big Brother 5 as they reunite 17 years after show 'I was 16 thinking there must be so much more to life, life is so predestined, school then university and I wanted something so different for me. 'Big Brother was what I wanted and it changed everything.' Previously, he told how he counts Hollywood actor and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds as one of the congregation at his local church in North Wales. TOUGH TRAINING After dropping out of the limelight, Glyn went on to have a normal life, heading to university two years after Big Brother before becoming a teacher. Glyn then decided to go travelling and ended up working in Shanghai, China, where he 'got rid of the Glyn from Big Brother tag'. With Christianity growing at a massive scale across Asia, Glyn, always a Christian, embraced his faith and decided to train as a vicar once he got home in 2020. He previously opened up on what his course entailed and said: 'I'm learning theology, going into depth about the Bible and learning how to cope with people, because you're not only the vicar, you're someone to listen, you're a psychiatrist, you have to help sort people's lives out and spread the good word. 'So there's a concoction of stuff that you need to learn before you become a vicar.' Despite sporting a very different look now, Glyn says he still gets Big Brother fans coming up to him in church — and he will often weave his past into his sermons. He says: 'I've got a beard now, I've shaved my head, I'm a man not a boy, but yeah, there's conversations about Big Brother that still come up. People come to church and are like, 'I really loved you when you cooked that egg'. 'And I'm like, 'Can we talk about Jesus Christ now, the Saviour?'. 'But I feel like when you've lived a good life, you've got a lot to talk about when you're up in the pulpit doing a sermon.' 6 6 6
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Big Brother's Glyn Wise set to be ordained a deacon as he trains to become a priest - almost 20 years after he appeared on the 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. 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.' 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.'
