Radio star Cam reveals 'HOW I BEAT THE BULLIES'

The ZM presenter discusses the dark days when he was taunted about his body and sexuality

- Leena Tailor

Radio star Cam Mansel was buying R food for his rabbit at his local pet store when a teacher recognised him. Introducing herself, she explained how one of her students had been struggling with his sexuality until hearing Cam on ZM's Late Show.

The 30-year-old broadcaster recalls, "She was like, 'You said something that resonated with him and really helped him.' It was an incredible moment that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Helping others navigate identity struggles means everything to Cam as his sexuality has attracted vile slurs and death threats, as well as seeing him bullied throughout his school years, when he was teased about his weight with nasty comments that still haunt him today.

But as he proudly rocks a bright tee in support of anti-bullying campaign Pink Shirt Day, Cam hopes to show anyone facing bullies that the horrendous time will pass. "I went through stages where I felt super-alone and had no friends," he recalls. "It felt like it would never end, but it does - and it builds resilience."

Thanks to drama class and the school band, Cam was a confident kid until classmates started commenting on his body when he was around nine. "Kids go through stages where they grow out and grow up, but I had a grow-out phase and became quite a chubster," he tells, adding that the bullies dimmed his love for sports.