Big Brother’s Andy West stands by fiance despite claims he was on Grindr
Ex BBC journalist opens up about his relationship...and Jackson and Georgina's
BIG Brother star Andy West is standing by his fiance - despite The Sun Online revealing he was trawling Grindr for sex while he was in the house.
The 34-year-old former BBC journalist became the first ever housemate to get engaged on the reality show, when his boyfriend Ed surprised him during a task, but their joy has been marred by revelations that he was on the gay dating app BEFORE Andy had even entered the house.
But speaking to The Sun Online after finishing in fourth place on Tuesday night's final, Andy said that while he is aware of the story, he is standing by his man.
He said: "I have heard a bit about that but I have not had the chance to see anything.
"All I can say is that Ed and I woke up this morning in each other's arms and you know, it's all gravy. "We're together, I'm so happy to be back with him in the real world.
"I can't comment on anything to do with Grindr, I haven't seen anything about it and that's the honest truth."
The couple were reunited in early July as part of a shopping task, with Andy breaking down at the sight of his other half.
The journalist immediately proposed but Ed went one better as he got down on one knee and produced a ring, marking the show's first ever proposal.
Recalling the moment, Andy said: "It was off the back of a really tough time in the house and I was just desperate to get some sense of was I still OK? Did I still have a boyfriend?
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"You lose your perspective and I didn't know, I thought, for all I know my friends and family and my boyfriend have abandoned me because I've looked like a complete d**khead on television.
"I can't tell you how desperate I was to hear his voice and when I did, I just crumpled. It was the most emotional moment of my entire life.
It was fantastic the way I proposed to him and he proposed to me, it was just perfect."
While Andy says the moment was perfect now, at the time, the one fly in the ointment was his engagement ring, with the star revealing in the diary room he wasn't sure about Ed's choice.
Thankfully, the piece of jewellery has grown on him, saying: "I wouldn't have gone to a shop and chosen it, it does look a little bit Argos catalogue circa 1993.
"But it's kind of been with me through the last few weeks and there's been some tough times when I've sat there and I've found myself holding it or just using it as my connection to Ed.
"So I couldn't lose it now, it's just been there for me. It means a lot. Is it platinum? I don't know. I'll have to look in the catalogue, page 223 and get a free Walkman with it."
The couple are keen to put the past behind them, and could potentially tie the knot by Christmas.
Andy said: "We were talking about having a Christmas wedding.
"I've always wanted a Christmas wedding because I like the idea of having a big Christmas tree and you also know the weather is going to be s**t so no one is disappointed."
The star thinks he and Ed will be the first to make it down the aisle, but he hopes Jackson Blyton and Georgina Cantwell, who got together in the house, will be able to make things work in the real world too.
He revealed: "I was having a chat with someone close to Jackson last night and we were talking about Jackson and Georgina and the challenge that they have now on the outside world.
"In the Big Brother house you have no choice but to be together and it's very comforting to have someone who you trust and who you can talk to.
"In the outside world you have to really want to be together, if you have an argument or get annoyed at each other you still have to want to be together, as there are so many things pulling you apart.
"So I wish them the best of luck, and I'll be very, very pleased if I get an invitation to their wedding, but I think it's a little bit early yet and I imagine they would agree."