The Only Way is Essex star Junaid Ahmed has revealed he will save a seat for his estranged family at his upcoming wedding to Joe Blackman, despite their lack of acceptance of his sexuality and faith.
Historic Proposal in Albania
The ITV couple recently got engaged at a beachside location in Albania, where Junaid, 31, proposed to his partner of two years. Junaid kept the proposal a secret by pretending fellow cast member Diags (James Bennwith) was planning to propose to Jodie Wells. Joe was unaware of the surprise until he was lured to the spot.
The engagement, set to air on ITV2 on Monday night (August 17), marks the first multiracial gay engagement to appear on reality television.
Family Estrangement and Heartbreak
Junaid, the first openly gay Muslim cast member on TOWIE, was forced out of his family home after coming out to his parents at 18. They have been estranged since, and Junaid said his mum sent "a horrible message" after learning of the engagement.
Despite this, he will still extend an invitation. "Call me delusional, I would love to have my family there and I would save them a place at the wedding," he said. "Whether they'll attend or not, I don't know. But the invite will definitely go out to my mum 100%."
Unwavering Love and Representation
Junaid expressed his ongoing love for his family, saying, "I love them. I still do, regardless of what's happened. They don't accept me for being Muslim and being gay, but my love will never go. I'm hurt and I know they're hurt as well, but I can't just switch that love off."
The couple will broadcast their wedding, expected to be a Bollywood and English celebration. Some TOWIE cast members will have roles, and Joe's son Daice could walk his dad down the aisle. Junaid and Joe believe it is important for young gay men to see same-sex couples represented on screen. The Only Way is Essex Season 38 is available to stream on ITVX.
