Gay TOWIE star inviting family to wedding even though they don’t accept his sexuality
TOWIE stars Junaid and Joe are engaged (Objective Media)
The Only Way Is Essex star Junaid Ahmed has said he is inviting his estranged family to his wedding to co-star Joe Blackman, even though they don’t accept that he is gay.
The reality stars recently got engaged in Albania, with Ahmed proposing to Blackman after two years together. Their happy moment aired on the 17 August episode of TOWIE, however it has come with sadness for Ahmed.
The out gay Muslim star was forced to leave his family home at 18 when he came out. They have been estranged ever since.
However the ITV star, now 31, has said his family have a place at his wedding, even though his mum sent a “horrible message” after learning of his upcoming nuptials.
He told The Mirror: “Call me delusional, I would love to have my family there and I would save them a place at the wedding.
“Whether they’ll attend or not, I don’t know. But the invite will definitely go out to my mum, 100 percent.”
Ahmed said it “breaks my heart so much” that his relationship with his family is fractured, admitting he “never, ever” thought they would be missing from these moments in his life.
He added: “I love them. I still do, regardless of what’s happened. They don’t accept me for being Muslim and being gay, but my love will never go.
“I’m hurt and I know they’re hurt as well, but I can’t just switch that love off.”
Who are Junaid Ahmed and Joe Blackman?
Junaid Ahmed is a reality star and influencer, who rose to fame after joining hit ITV series The Only Way Is Essex in 2022. However he previously appeared on short-lived Lindsay Lohan-narrated Prime Video series Lovestruck High, which also aired in 2022.
He has been with Joe Blackman since August 2024, which caused a bit of drama among the TOWIE cast. Blackman had been in a relationship with TOWIE OG Harry Derbidge, who was also Ahmed’s best friend.
Blackman, meanwhile, joined the show in 2023 as Derbidge’s boyfriend. Their relationship breakdown played out on screen, with Blackman then moving on with Ahmed.
As well as TOWIE, Blackman is a hair stylist, and is also a dad to his son Daice, who he reportedly had with a childhood friend.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
