The reality TV personality, who shot to fame on the beloved Channel 4 series alongside his now ex-husband Stephen Lustig-Webb, has disclosed that he’s been living with significant hearing loss for most of his life.
The duo became household names during their five-year stint on Gogglebox, capturing the hearts of the nation and leaving fans disheartened when they decided to step back from the show in 2023.
Reaching the big 5-0, Daniel has chosen to share his journey with deafness, revealing that he is completely deaf in one ear – a secret he’s kept under wraps for many years.
He’s embarked on a new chapter focussed on fitness, wellbeing, and embracing self-acceptance. Daniel confessed that partial deafness has been part of his life since childhood, but it was a source of insecurity that he previously felt uncomfortable discussing.
Opening up about his condition, Daniel told scenemag: “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.”
Reflecting on his school days, he shared the challenges he faced, admitting that he “struggled to concentrate” and was “often picked on”.
Daniel also shared how the condition has impacted his social life and confidence, especially in noisy settings, admitting that at times he will “just switch off” and has had to “learn to listen differently”.
He shared: “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.”
Now, he’s ready to open up about his condition. Daniel declared: “At 50, I feel like it’s finally time to stop hiding and to be proud of who I am.”
He shared his ambition to learn sign language in a bid to “connect with the deaf community”, before declaring that deafness is not “a weakness”.
With nearly 11 million people in the UK experiencing some form of hearing loss, Daniel’s candid discussion about his own issues comes at a critical moment. He expressed hope that by speaking out, he could help dispel myths and reduce stigma surrounding deafness, reports the Mirror.
Emphasising the often isolating nature of the “invisible” condition, Daniel reflected on shifting priorities as he ages, placing greater emphasis on his well-being.
Daniel confessed he is beginning to “learn to love and accept” his condition, stressing the importance of others seeing that it isn’t something to feel ashamed of or fear.