Ben Norris celebrates as his new fiance Ben
Williams watches on. Source: Supplied
Andrew Fenton, The Daily Telegraph, reports
Gay Big Brother winner Benjamin Norris has spoken candidly about the years of tragedy and heartache he endured before his new fiance Ben Williams helped turn his life around.
In a triumphant ending to this year's Big Brother, after Norris won the major prize of $250,000 and a new car, he got down on one knee, pulled out a diamond passed down from his great-grandfather and asked for Williams' hand in marriage.
Norris, 32, from Toorak, Victoria, said he hoped sharing his story would give comfort to others experiencing dark times.
Just two years ago, Norris was still battling to overcome grief and depression following his father Graeme's suicide, and his mother Jane's cancer diagnosis in 2006.
''There are no words to describe the four years that led from that, it was a grieving process that not even I to this day understand,'' the most popular housemate said yesterday, tired and still emotional from the mammoth events of the night before.
''People laughed at some of the things I did on Big Brother and that's beautiful, to think that maybe some people out there who are experiencing hardships might think: 'I just need to wait the time out'.''
Norris credits his strong relationship with his mother Jane Needham, 59 – ''an incredible woman'' and his three-year relationship with live-in partner Williams for getting him through the tough times.
He admits to being a wild child in his twenties and making ''every mistake'' it was possible to make.
His mum says he was frequently penniless and had trouble holding down a job.
''I was living life at a level that was overwhelming and it took me to meet Ben to start putting my life in my 20s behind me,'' he said.
''He tamed me.''
Williams, 27, who still appeared stunned by the shock marriage proposal yesterday said: ''I ground him. He's the crazy one and I'm the sensible one and that kind of balance is important in a relationship.''
The pair are similar in many ways, apart from looks and first names.
They also share a job at Scoupon, with Williams stepping into the role while Norris was on Big Brother.
Importantly both Norris and Williams said the marriage proposal was more a public declaration of love than a political manifesto – and they'e both perfectly content with a civil union in front of family and friends (though Williams believes there shouldn't be any barriers for marriage equality).
''This is not a protest, it's not a political statement,'' Norris said.
And as for adopting or having a child using a surrogate?
Williams first heard about it through the media – but he still sees children in their future.
''I'm obsessed with children,'' he revealed.
''We've just opened a new chapter in our life but hopefully one day we can have a family just like any other couple.''
''We have a dog Oscar and that's our child for the time being.''
The Big Brother finale was a big success for Nine drawing a peak audience of 1.5 million viewers.
Programming chief Andrew Backwell said the figures means the network was ''seriously considering'' making an announcement on another season soon.
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