‘I’ve got a slightly complicated relationship with masculinity’: Big Brother’s Will Best opens up about feeling different (EXCLUSIVE)

Big Brother presenter Will Best has cemented himself as one of UK TV’s biggest heartthrobs. From chest-baring outfits to his dashing smile and charming sense of humour, Best’s infectious energy has made him a fan favourite.

As Big Brother returned to ITV2 yesterday (13 September), several LGBTQ+ contestants entered the house for the new season. Speaking to Attitude ahead of the launch, Best said the show’s inclusivity is perhaps one of the “most important” aspects of the series.

“Big Brother, for me, has always felt like it’s a space for people, for a cross-section of society, to go into that house, and truly be themselves, and show the world who they are,” the presenter tells Attitude.

Will Best on Big Brother‘s LGBTQ+ history

“The fact that a show like Big Brother exists, where they can go on telly and be their unfiltered selves… I think it’s magic.”

He drew attention to Nadia Almada, who made history in 2004 as the first openly transgender winner of Big Brother UK, as well as Cameron Cole, who came out as gay on the show in 2018. “Both of those situations being embraced by the whole country and celebrated, I think it’s really important,” Best said.

He added: “I think, especially now, where rights are being… It feels like there is less tolerance for diversity and conversations are taking a turn for the worst in some areas.”

“We’re losing representation on television” – Best on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK being axed by the BBC

As a proud LGBTQ+ ally, Best also drew attention to the recent cancellation of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK by the BBC, following a funding blow to the franchise.

“I feel like we’re losing representation on television, on mainstream television, and I think that is a tragedy, and will only make society poorer for it, and Big Brother is never gonna do that.”

Beyond the show’s cultural impact, presenting Big Brother has meant a lot to Best too. He said the show has given him a “certain confidence to express” himself “in a different way”.

Best says Big Brother has given him a newfound confidence

“I feel like I get more licensed to wear the clothes that I actually want to wear, and express myself in a different way that I don’t always get to,” he explained. “It’s very freeing.”

As someone who presents as comfortable in his own skin and secure in his sexuality, Attitude asked Best what masculinity means to him.

“For me, masculinity is… It comes with feeling, giving power to express yourself. However you want,” Best replied. “I feel like it’s… It’s feeling brave enough to express vulnerability.”

Growing up different

He described his relationship with masculinity as “slightly complicated”, remembering a time growing up when what it meant to be a man was incredibly “one-dimensional”.

“I always felt like I wasn’t as masculine as a lot of my peers,” said Best. “I used to sort of struggle with that sometimes, and I think I kind of… I sort of hid behind humour.”

For those who feel comfortable identifying with masculinity, Best welcomes them to do so, though he himself finds it “a bit reductive”, admitting that its principles could equally be applied to a woman or a non-gender-conforming person.

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New Big Brother episodes air every night from Sunday to Thursday at 9:00 pm on ITV2 and ITVX.