CHAD ‘IT WAS THE HARDEST THING I'VE DONE'

WATCHING HIS DAD DIE CHANGED THIS HOUSEMATE FOREVER

- Leigh Credlin

Given Chad Hurst’s very successful career as a model, many viewers automatically assumed he only entered the Big Brother house because he craves the spotlight and everything that comes with it.

And while that’s certainly proven to be the case for many local reality stars in recent years, there’s a far more poignant reason behind the 27-year-old becoming a housemate – it was his dad Neil’s dying wish.

“He adored Big Brother. At home, we’ve got photos of him with the winners over the years! My old man was a pretty straighty 180 guys; 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,” Chad, who’s opened up about Neil several times on the show, tells New Idea. “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.’ I think he thought I’d be good [for it] because I don’t take myself too seriously.”

Chad was by Neil’s side when he passed away on May 30, 2017, from advanced cancer that began in his bowel before spreading to his lungs and liver.