Ex-Big Brother contestant Glyn Wise bids for Welsh Assembly seat

Updated

A former Big Brother contestant says he is confident voters will take him seriously as he bids to become a politician in the Welsh Assembly.

Glyn Wise, who came second in the 2006 edition of the reality show, is standing as Plaid Cymru's candidate in Cardiff Central.

The 28-year-old insisted he had changed a great deal from the cheeky chappy who made TV viewers laugh with his antics on the Channel 4 show - which saw him learn how to boil an egg for the first time at the age of 18.

He said: "Big Brother was 10 years ago and I've moved on a lot since then.

"I still get recognised from the show though, especially while I've been out campaigning. The constituency I am standing in has a large student population and there's been a few surprised faces when I've turned up on the doorstep.

"But has being on Big Brother been a curse as well as a blessing? I don't think so at all. Politics needs people from different types of backgrounds. It doesn't have to be all old men in grey suits.

"I'm 28, I don't speak in jargon and I can relate to young people and the issues affecting them very well. Young people deserve more of a voice in politics.

"Plus, I've always been passionate about my country and wanted the best for Wales - as does Plaid Cymru."

As well as advocating lowering the voting age to 16, the Cardiff University graduate said he is particularly proud of his party's pledge to help write off up to £18,000 of students' debt if they stay in Wales after collecting their degree.

However, Plaid will have to rip up the form book if it is to win the Cardiff Central seat, which was won by Labour last time but has previously been a Liberal Democrat stronghold.

In upcoming hustings Mr Wise will be going head-to-head against Labour's Jenny Rathbone and Lib Dem Eluned Parrott - both of whom served as AMs in the most recent Assembly.

Mr Wise will not be the only Big Brother star running in the constituency either - 2015 finalist Joel Williams, 20, is standing for the Conservatives.

Speaking to WalesOnline last year, Mr Williams said: "If the Lib Dem vote went to the Conservatives, yes, we would take that seat ... With a bit of hard work it is winnable."

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