Derry reception was brilliant says Seany
Despite hearing more homophobic comments during his two day visit to Derry than he had 'ever heard in his life,' Big Brother contestant Seany O'Kane, described his homecoming as 'the greatest thing to come out of his BB adventure'.
That particular quest for fame and glory ends this week with the reality television programme’s final, for which the Ardmore man will return to the London TV studios he was ejected from earlier this summer.
“The reception I got in Derry was just brilliant,’ he told the Journal. “There was a camera crew waiting at the airport for me and it got better from there.
“Channel Four took me on a tour of the City and down to Free Derry Corner, which was painted pink.I had seen a picture of it in the Journal but it was strange looking, it’s a real change in the perceptions of the city, I think it was a bold move by the organisers of Foyle Pride. Personally I think it is a step in the right direction but that’s just me.
“People were even climbing over the barrier during my appearance in Pepes and everything. My mother had come down to see me speak to them and squashed into the front row. I had never been to a gay club with my mother before so it was funny. The crowd looked after her and everyone sang the Sissor Sisters song ‘take your Momma out all night,’ which was brilliant.”
Seany, whose return home was followed by the Channel Four cameras, stopped at the statues by Craigavon Bridge where,” A crowd gathered quickly, they just seemed to come from everywhere so we couldn’t stop long.
“I had a really warm reception, in spite of a few people. There was some name calling in the street, juvenile stuff from people who should know better.I had more homophobic reaction during my two day visit to Derry (Fri - Sun morning) than I ever did before. It is the most homophobic reaction I’ve ever had in my whole life but like I told the Gay Pride Ball, ‘Seany is here and Seany is queer so deal with it’.”
With the final gathering of the BB8 contestants being held this week, Seany has been busy meeting up with most of his old housemates.
“Charlie came to do a PA at the Elk so I met up with her and so did my sisters, Chanelle and Gerry, who are staying with me tonight.”
Asked about Chanelle and Ziggy’s relationship Seany said; “She actually has a lot of nice things to say about him, she met him in the house again last week. Channel 4 took us to London on Friday to record messages for the housemates and she got into the house for ten minutes. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone but there might be a few crossed words at the wrap party, I think I’m the only housemate who gets on with all the others.
“I miss Liam and Ziggy loads, they were probably my best friends in the house, especially Liam. Channelle is taking security to the wrap party because of the feud with Charley. I plan to sit both of them down and say please sort this out but I’ll be spending most of my time partying with Ziggy.
Should be fun
“It will be strange because of all the disagreements, Billi cannot stand Ziggy. He hates him with a passion, Laura and Channelle don’t get on nor do Nikki and Billi and Emily doesn’t like Shabnam, so it should be fun.”
Asked about his own bedroom tiff with Leslie, Seany laughed answering; “I met Leslie on the Friday Night Project and she told me it was all forgotten. She told me it was Big Brother and she should have expected it. To be honest I am still asked about that all the time. Richard, who came fourth, in BB7 sent me a message about that incident. I wish people would just get on with it.
Is he looking forward to BB conclusion? “This week is going to be the most mental of the summer. As well as the BB gigs I am presenting on Channel Four introducing Atomic Kitten, Sugarbabes, Take That the musical and Angie Stone to 300,000 people off Canal Street. It is the Manchester Pride festival. The Lesbian Gay foundation of Manchester won the best contribution award to the parade and I accepted it on their behalf. Last night I introduced the Gossip on stage.”
But who will win BB8?“The twins will win, they need to win or I’ll be raging but I wouldn’t mind if Carole won it because I think everyone else will do OK out of the show, I hope she doesn’t leave before the last day though.
“I think Ziggy will be really disapointed if he doesn’t get the support of the public and I think Brian will come second.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Derry
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
