Cameron Cole, the vlogger who won Big Brother UK in 2018, has spoken out after allegedly being the victim of a homophobic attack on his birthday.
Cole, now 26, said he was celebrating surrounded by friends when the incident occurred. According to a post shared on Instagram on Friday (31 October), he was targeted with homophobic slurs and later physically assaulted after being separated from his group—an attack that left him with a black eye and cuts to his face.
“I had a beautiful birthday surrounded by love, yet still came face-to-face with people who chose hate and violence,” Cole wrote.
‘Attacked for Existing and Being Me’
Cole described the incident as a moment of deep vulnerability, stating that he was targeted simply for being himself.
“They targeted me with homophobia and slurs, and later attacked me when I was alone. It shook me. It made me feel vulnerable in a way no one should ever have to feel, especially not for just existing and being me.”
He went on to highlight that this experience was about more than just him or the LGBTQ+ community, calling out broader systemic issues.
“This isn’t just about me… it’s about every minority, every marginalised voice, everyone who has been told they don’t belong. The politics, the government, the people, they want to divide us—but they will not win.”
Despite the trauma, Cole said the assault gave him renewed strength.
“You will not win. Keep trying but you will fail.”
‘I Am Hurting but I Am Fighting’
In a follow-up post shared on Sunday (2 November), Cole expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support he’d received in the days since the attack.
“I am still here. I am hurting but I am fighting. I am reminding myself of how far I have come… The messages, the love, the support… have meant everything. You have helped me feel less alone at a moment when I was slipping back into old darkness.”
He also reflected on how common such attacks still are, saying:
“I wish this kind of experience was rare. It should be. It is not. And that breaks my heart.”
History of Homophobic Abuse
Cole made headlines in 2018 when he came out to his fellow housemates on Big Brother, a powerful moment that moved many viewers. But after leaving the show, he became a target of homophobic abuse online.
According to the latest Home Office figures released in October, hate crimes in England and Wales rose by 2% in the year ending March 2025 compared with the previous year—highlighting the persistence of such violence in society.
