Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ricky Whittle has admitted that racist abuse while he was growing up made him want to be white. The Hollyoaks actor spoke out to reveal the full impact of the abuse he suffered during his school days.
Ricky said he was targeted by bullies at his school in Northern Ireland because "must have been one of the first black people in the whole country".
Speaking to 1Xtra, he explained: "Growing up at that time, I didn't want to be black because I was bullied and I'd tell my mum that I wanted to be white like everyone else at school.
"She just said, 'Listen, when you're older you're going to really appreciate this. You don't want to be the same as everyone else, you want to be different and you want to be unique'.
"It has happened that way and I'm enjoying my culture and my background."
Whittle continued: "I don't think there is a 'normal' British person now. I think it was just the fact that I was young and kids do point out differences when they're younger and latch on to those things.
"I don't think [bullying is] worse if it's racism or whether it's about your weight or your glasses, because they're all things you can't change, it's who you are."
He added that being bullied has helped make him a "stronger and more relaxed person" as the comments directed at him became "water off a duck's back".
The 27-year-old is still the bookies' favourite to win the dance contest.
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