'I had to leave town to be openly gay - we need more shows like I Kissed a Boy'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A gay activist who felt he 'had to be closeted' growing up in a market town was involved in the audition process for BBC's hit new show I Kissed A Boy - and has spoken out about why the dating programme is 'so important for breaking down barriers and LGBTQ+ representation'.

Calum McDermott, who goes by the nickname Cal McFabulous was teased and called names in school before making the move to Manchester aged 18.

His childhood years in the Derbyshire market town of Chesterfield saw him forced in the closet. The 26-year-old, who has also worked at Manchester-based LGBTQ+ station Gaydio, says that although he was not eventually cast to be on the show, which is the first of its kind in the UK, it is 'absolutely amazing to see mainstream representation of the LGBT community'. READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community The BBC Three dating show, hosted by Dannii Minogue, follows ten single men as they head to Europe in the hope of finding their Mr Right.

The couples, who are paired up according to their strongest match, must share a kiss the first time they meet. "I had an audition call with the producers to chat about the show.