Who is India Willoughby? Everything you need to know about the Celebrity Big Brother star
INDIA WILLOUGHBY made a dramatic entrance into the Celebrity Big Brother all-female house tonight. Here is everything you need to know about the new housemate.
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India Willoughby opens up about her transition
Who is India Willoughby?
The trailblazing journalist previously made history by becoming Britain’s first transgender newscaster.
The 51-year-old was born Jonathan Willoughby and started her TV career at ITV Border, presenting the news for the North East and Cumbria.
She quit her regional job in Carlisle after a decade seven years ago before returning to the small screen in 2015 after transitioning and changing her name to India.
Based in Newcastle, India, who has a teenage son called Rhodes, previously revealed it was a job she had loved a lot but that she had “a secret”.
Celebrity Big Brother 2018: India Willoughby is the UK's first transgender newsreader
Celebrity Big Brother 2018: India Willoughby decided to transition back in 2010
I stared at myself in disgust. This has got to stop
Why did she decide to undergo reassignment surgery?
India has previously spoken openly about her decision and she said she always felt like a female from childhood.
Admitting "boys' clothes felt like a straitjacket”, the star revealed her moment of clarity came while interviewing a politician in February 2010.
“I had slicked back hair, a sharp suit, and looked confident. Yet I stared at myself in disgust. This has got to stop, I thought. I need to be true to myself,” India told the Daily Mail.
She finally told her son, then 16, about her decision in a letter, after leading a double life for five years.
Celebrity Big Brother 2018: India Willoughby previously appeared on Loose Women
Celebrity Big Brother teases a new female housemate
Celebrity Big Brother 2018: India Willoughby has one son and lives in Newcastle
When did she appear on Loose Women?
India became the first trans woman in the world to present an all-female talk show, when she appeared as a panelist on the ITV show back in October.
Viewers had raved about her initial appearance leading bosses to invite her back, and she said that she was “still pinching herself” when she found out.
She is also working on the Border and Tyne Tees reporting team on a freelance basis and is said to be “in talks” to join the Channel 5 reality show, according to The Sun.