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'I came out as gay after my son was born - now hes walking me down the aisle'

EXCLUSIVE: The Only Way Is Essex star Joe Blackman has opened up about his son's role in his upcoming wedding to Junaid Ahmed

[Junaid and Joe Blackman]

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The Only Way is Essex stars Junaid Ahmed and Joe Blackman are ready to tie the knot (Image: Objective Media Group)

TOWIE star Joe Blackman was in a straight relationship for years before he decided to live authentically, now he's set to marry the man of his dreams.

The 27-year-old reality star was left stunned when his partner of two years, Junaid Ahmed, proposed at a gorgeous beachside location in Albania.

Junaid had successfully hid the surprise by pretending their co-stars Diags (James Bennwith) and Jodie Wells were the ones getting engaged. It took Joe a while to realise the romantic display was all for him, and he admits he could barely process Junaid's speech at the time.

Luckily the Essex star can watch the whole day back in a new TOWIE episode, now available to stream on ITVX. Their big day has also made history as the first multiracial gay engagement to appear on reality television.

When Joe broke the news to his seven-year-old son Daice, the youngster sweetly asked if he could walk his dad down the aisle.

[Junaid Ahmed ]

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Junaid proposed to Joe in Albania (Image: Objective Media Group)

[Man and woman walking arm-in-arm ]

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Joe had no clue the surprise proposal was coming (Image: Objective Media Group)

When questioned if Daice is still scheduled for the wedding walk, Joe revealed: "I would absolutely love Daice to walk me down the aisle.

"When I told him, that was one of the first things that he said to me. So, of course, I would absolutely have that. But it's going to be a really special moment regardless of if he does or doesn't."

Joe shares Daice with a childhood friend he started dating in his teens. The exes were in an on-and-off relationship for seven years before the TOWIE star realised he wanted to live his life openly.

But the ITV star admits he "always knew" he was gay, and was prepared to stay closetted. It all changed after the birth of his baby boy.

"No one wants to live a lie in their life," he explained. "Because I've done it myself, I've been in a relationship with a lady, had a baby, and thought that was going to be my way, and that was going to be my life.

"But as soon as I had my son, it actually made me realise that I would never want him to grow up and live a lie."

Opening up about his own journey has encouraged others to reach out and confide in the telly star. Joe confessed that he occasionally receives messages from viewers who haven't worked up the courage to come out just yet.

Speaking to OK! Magazine before their engagement hit screens, Junaid and Joe also shed light on why they are sharing their major milestones with the public.

The loved-up couple believe it is important for young gay men across the nation to see homosexual relationships represented positively, especially ones they could potentially relate to.

"Growing up, I always wanted to see that on telly," Joe said. "Obviously times have changed very much, so 20 years ago when I was a little eight-year-old, I never thought that it would really be a thing.

"I never thought we'd see that on telly. For it to be 20 years later and me and [Junaid] to do it, it's really rewarding, I think we've really made the change in the world. It's a bit dramatic, but I feel like we are."

TOWIE fans will also be getting a front row seat to the couple's wedding, which is set to be a huge Bollywood and English bash.

Watch Joe and Junaid's engagement in The Only Way is Essex Season 38, now available to stream on ITVX

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