Big Brother star ordained as a deacon after turning to the church – 20 years on from finishing runner-up on reality show
A BIG Brother legend has finally been ordained as a deacon after swapping fame for the church.
Series seven runner-up Glyn Wise, 37, has been working towards this moment for five years after time spent in China made him reconsider his life.
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Last month he graduated from Bible College where he spent three years studying for a theology degree. Five weeks later, he is officially a vicar.
Today, he confirmed the news, writing on Instagram: "This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you!
"Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - 'With God all things are possible' Math 19: 26.
"Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the disciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations!"
Glyn shared a video from his ordination ceremony inside St Asaph Cathedral, North Wales, as he was made a member of the clergy.
The work of a deacon focuses on spreading and serving the Church in poor and marginalised communities.
Glyn's next stage of training to become a priest will see him based in the Aled Mission Area around Old Colwyn and Betws yn Rhos, according to the diocese of St Asaph.
He has already completed a 770km pilgrimage to the iconic Santiago de Compostela in Spain, believed to be the burial site of the apostle St James, as part of his faith journey.
DIVINE INTERVENTION
Religion has always played a big part in Glyn 's life and previously told how he "prayed my way onto Big Brother".
Speaking on This Morning in 2022, he said: 'I grew up in a religious family and I prayed my way onto Big Brother.
Pete, Glyn and Victor appear on Big Brother 5 as they reunite 17 years after show
"I was asking God can you please just get me into Big Brother.
'I was 16 thinking there must be so much more to life, life is so predestined, school then university and I wanted something so different for me.
'Big Brother was what I wanted and it changed everything.'
Previously, he told how he counts Hollywood actor and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds as one of the congregation at his local church in North Wales.
After dropping out of the limelight, Glyn went on to have a normal life, heading to university two years and becoming a teacher.
He then decided to go travelling and ended up working in Shanghai, China, where he 'got rid of the Glyn from Big Brother tag'.
With Christianity growing at a massive scale across Asia, Glyn embraced his faith and decided to train as a vicar once he got home in 2020.
He previously opened up on what his course entailed and said: 'I'm learning theology, going into depth about the Bible and learning how to cope with people, because you're not only the vicar, you're someone to listen, you're a psychiatrist, you have to help sort people's lives out and spread the good word.
'So there's a concoction of stuff that you need to learn before you become a vicar.'
Despite sporting a very different look now, Glyn says he still gets Big Brother fans coming up to him in church — and he will often weave his past into his sermons.
He said: 'I've got a beard now, I've shaved my head, I'm a man not a boy, but yeah, there's conversations about Big Brother that still come up. People come to church and are like, 'I really loved you when you cooked that egg'.
'And I'm like, 'Can we talk about Jesus Christ now, the Saviour?'.
'But I feel like when you've lived a good life, you've got a lot to talk about when you're up in the pulpit doing a sermon.'
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Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Big Brother star ordained as a deacon after turning to the church – 20 years on from finishing runner-up on reality show
A BIG Brother legend has finally been ordained as a deacon after swapping fame for the church. Series seven runner-up Glyn Wise, 37, has been working towards this moment for five years after time spent in China made him reconsider his life. 4 Big Brother's Glyn Wise has formally recognised as a deacon Credit: Twitter 4 Glyn's ordination ceremony was inside St Asaph Cathedral Credit: Glyn Wise 4 Glyn found fame on the reality show back in 2006 Credit: Channel 4 Last month he graduated from Bible College where he spent three years studying for a theology degree. Five weeks later, he is officially a vicar. Today, he confirmed the news, writing on Instagram: "This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you! "Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - 'With God all things are possible' Math 19: 26. "Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the disciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations!" Glyn shared a video from his ordination ceremony inside St Asaph Cathedral, North Wales, as he was made a member of the clergy. The work of a deacon focuses on spreading and serving the Church in poor and marginalised communities. Glyn's next stage of training to become a priest will see him based in the Aled Mission Area around Old Colwyn and Betws yn Rhos, according to the diocese of St Asaph. He has already completed a 770km pilgrimage to the iconic Santiago de Compostela in Spain, believed to be the burial site of the apostle St James, as part of his faith journey. DIVINE INTERVENTION Religion has always played a big part in Glyn's life and previously told how he "prayed my way onto Big Brother". Speaking on This Morning in 2022, he said: 'I grew up in a religious family and I prayed my way onto Big Brother. Pete, Glyn and Victor appear on Big Brother 5 as they reunite 17 years after show "I was asking God can you please just get me into Big Brother. 'I was 16 thinking there must be so much more to life, life is so predestined, school then university and I wanted something so different for me. 'Big Brother was what I wanted and it changed everything.' Previously, he told how he counts Hollywood actor and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds as one of the congregation at his local church in North Wales. After dropping out of the limelight, Glyn went on to have a normal life, heading to university two years and becoming a teacher. He then decided to go travelling and ended up working in Shanghai, China, where he 'got rid of the Glyn from Big Brother tag'. With Christianity growing at a massive scale across Asia, Glyn embraced his faith and decided to train as a vicar once he got home in 2020. He previously opened up on what his course entailed and said: 'I'm learning theology, going into depth about the Bible and learning how to cope with people, because you're not only the vicar, you're someone to listen, you're a psychiatrist, you have to help sort people's lives out and spread the good word. 'So there's a concoction of stuff that you need to learn before you become a vicar.' Despite sporting a very different look now, Glyn says he still gets Big Brother fans coming up to him in church — and he will often weave his past into his sermons. He said: 'I've got a beard now, I've shaved my head, I'm a man not a boy, but yeah, there's conversations about Big Brother that still come up. People come to church and are like, 'I really loved you when you cooked that egg'. 'And I'm like, 'Can we talk about Jesus Christ now, the Saviour?'. 'But I feel like when you've lived a good life, you've got a lot to talk about when you're up in the pulpit doing a sermon.'
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Big Brother star ordained as a deacon after turning to the church – 20 years on from finishing runner-up on reality show
A BIG Brother legend has finally been ordained as a deacon after swapping fame for the church. Series seven runner-up Glyn Wise, 37, has been working towards this moment for five years after time spent in China made him reconsider his life. 4 4 4 Last month he graduated from Bible College where he spent three years studying for a theology degree. Five weeks later, he is officially a vicar. Today, he confirmed the news, writing on Instagram: "This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you! "Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - 'With God all things are possible' Math 19: 26. "Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the disciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations!" Glyn shared a video from his ordination ceremony inside St Asaph Cathedral, North Wales, as he was made a member of the clergy. The work of a deacon focuses on spreading and serving the Church in poor and marginalised communities. Glyn's next stage of training to become a priest will see him based in the Aled Mission Area around Old Colwyn and Betws yn Rhos, according to the diocese of St Asaph. He has already completed a 770km pilgrimage to the iconic Santiago de Compostela in Spain, believed to be the burial site of the apostle St James, as part of his faith journey. DIVINE INTERVENTION Religion has always played a big part in Glyn 's life and previously told how he "prayed my way onto Big Brother". Speaking on This Morning in 2022, he said: 'I grew up in a religious family and I prayed my way onto Big Brother. Pete, Glyn and Victor appear on Big Brother 5 as they reunite 17 years after show "I was asking God can you please just get me into Big Brother. 'I was 16 thinking there must be so much more to life, life is so predestined, school then university and I wanted something so different for me. 'Big Brother was what I wanted and it changed everything.' Previously, he told how he counts Hollywood actor and Wrexham AFC co-owner Ryan Reynolds as one of the congregation at his local church in North Wales. After dropping out of the limelight, Glyn went on to have a normal life, heading to university two years and becoming a teacher. He then decided to go travelling and ended up working in Shanghai, China, where he 'got rid of the Glyn from Big Brother tag'. With Christianity growing at a massive scale across Asia, Glyn embraced his faith and decided to train as a vicar once he got home in 2020. He previously opened up on what his course entailed and said: 'I'm learning theology, going into depth about the Bible and learning how to cope with people, because you're not only the vicar, you're someone to listen, you're a psychiatrist, you have to help sort people's lives out and spread the good word. 'So there's a concoction of stuff that you need to learn before you become a vicar.' Despite sporting a very different look now, Glyn says he still gets Big Brother fans coming up to him in church — and he will often weave his past into his sermons. He said: 'I've got a beard now, I've shaved my head, I'm a man not a boy, but yeah, there's conversations about Big Brother that still come up. People come to church and are like, 'I really loved you when you cooked that egg'. 'And I'm like, 'Can we talk about Jesus Christ now, the Saviour?'. 'But I feel like when you've lived a good life, you've got a lot to talk about when you're up in the pulpit doing a sermon.'
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Big Brother's Glyn Wise reveals he's been officially ordained as a deacon - almost 20 years after he appeared on the reality show
Big Brother star Glyn Wise has announced he's been officially ordained become a deacon, nearly 20 years after he appeared on the reality show. Glyn, who came second on the reality show back in 2006, first announced that he was in the process of training to be a Catholic priest in his native Wales back in 2022. On Sunday, the former TV star posted a picture dressed in a black shirt and clerical collar to his 15,000 followers, announcing that he had officially been ordained. He penned: 'This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you! 'Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - "With God all things are possible" Math 19: 26. Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the desciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations!' Glyn then uploaded a string of pictures with his family including his mum, dad and older sister. He also posted a video of the service that took place at St Asaph Cathedral, north Wales, where he became formally recognised and commissioned. The 2006 series of Big Brother was hosted by Davina McCall and featured an array of famous housemates including Imogen Thomas, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and the late Nikki Grahame. Glyn previously admitted his decision to embrace Christianity and become a priest began after he lost himself to the whirlwind of publicity after his appearance on the hit reality show. The Welshman was just 18-years old when he appeared on the seventh series of Big Brother - then a hugely popular Channel 4 flagship - in 2006, finishing runner-up to winner Pete Bennett. Glyn, who previously told how he 'prayed his way onto Big Brother' has been a Christian since birth. But he admitted to losing touch with his faith while being filmed 24-hours a day, and would often pray beneath the sanctuary of his duvet because he feared being mocked for his faith. He told MailOnline when he began his training in 2022: 'I had so much faith and determination to get a place on TV's biggest reality show. 'I prayed and as always – God was listening. He guided me through the audition process easily until I entered the show. Glyn previously admitted his decision to embrace Christianity and become a priest began after he lost himself to the whirlwind of publicity after his appearance on the hit reality show 'Back in 2006, one in four of the population would watch reality TV. I prayed for God to guide me through the game show and eventually, after three months of being locked in a house I finished as runner-up. 'However, I prayed under the covers as I thought "being cool" was more important than being a Christian, which I heavily regret.' After spending his childhood in rural Wales, Glyn was quickly swept up by London's hectic party scene as he adjusted to life in the public eye following his appearance in the Big Brother compound. However he struggled to adapt to his newfound celebrity status and admits his devout attachment to Christianity was all but forgotten as he attended non-stop red carpet events, exclusive parties and premieres. He said: 'After the show, I was thrust into the spotlight. I was a guest on all UK TV and radio shows. I won a contract with a Calvin Klein modelling agency; I was a youth radio host for BBC Radio Cymru and I was given the tile of 'Ambassador of the Welsh Language' by Rhodri Morgan, Wales' first minster. 'I was invited to all sorts of parties and movie premieres – but deep down I felt lonely. During this period I left my faith behind. I had lost the real me in the middle of the glitz and glamour of fame. I needed to get back on track. 'I had become someone I hardly recognised, but yet everyone else felt as though they knew me.'
