Big Brother star Chad Hurst reveals his secret heartbreak – and says it was his late father’s dying wish for him to appear on the show
Big Brother star Chad Hurst has opened up about his late father, Neil, several times on the Channel Seven reality show.
And the 27-year-old revealed to New Idea on Monday that he was honouring his dad’s dying wish by appearing on the program.
‘My dad adored Big Brother. At home we’ve got photos of him with the winners over the years!’ Chad said.
Touching tribute: Big Brother’s Chad Hurst (pictured) revealed to New Idea on Monday that he was honouring his late father’s dying wish by appearing on the program
‘My old man was a pretty straighty 180 guy; a hard man. But he just loved Big Brother – and Eminem! It was out of the ordinary. He loved the characters… the comedy. He just found it funny,’ he added.
While it may sound surprising to some, it was annually Neil’s wish for his son to be a housemate on Big Brother.
‘Dad used to tell me to audition all the time. I was younger then, but he always said, “When you get old enough I can see you on this show, Chad.”‘ he said.
‘I think he thought I’d be good [for it] because I don’t take myself too seriously.’
Biggest fan: Chad revealed that his dad ‘just loved Big Brother’ and always wanted his son to apply for the show. Pictured: Chad with his mother and father
In 2017, Neil died from advanced cancer that had begun in his bowel before spreading to his lungs and liver.
Chad spent the last two weeks of his father’s life with him in palliative care.
‘That was the hardest part. It’s a bloody ugly process. They literally just become skin and bone and they can’t talk from all the morphine,’ he said.
Dying wish: ‘Dad used to tell me to audition all the time,’ Chad said. Pictured: Chad as a young boy with his father
Chad is now competing for the chance to win $250,000 on Big Brother.
He has also struck up a relationship with fellow housemate Sophie Budack, after they entered the house as latecomers in the second episode.
Big Brother Australia continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel Seven
Budding romance: Chad is now competing for the chance to win $250,000 on Big Brother. He has also struck up a relationship with fellow housemate Sophie Budack (left)