Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig-Webb: 'Why I'm learning sign language at 50-years-old'

Turning 50 has been a milestone I never really expected to mark with such honesty. For most of my life I’ve hidden a part of myself that has shaped me in ways I’ve only recently beenready to share. I’ve been completely deaf in one ear since I was six. It happened while I was on holiday. I caught mumps, which led to an ear infection. Which caused permanent hearing loss in that ear.

For decades I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to be seen as different or less capable, so I hid it, even from the people closest to me. When I was at school, it was confusing and isolating. Teachers thought I was ‘thick’ because I struggled to concentrate, when really I just couldn’t hear properly. Social situations were exhausting. Conversations at parties felt like puzzles I couldn’t solve. I would guess at what people were saying, mimic the words I did hear, and hope no one noticed. But the effort to appear ‘normal’ was exhausting.

Read more:

• Deaf President Now! and the greatest civil rights movement you’ve probably never heard of
• Claudia Winkleman on Rose Ayling-Ellis, representation and the role of TV
• Being deaf is no tragedy – it’s one of my greatest strengths

Even on Gogglebox, my deafness caused real challenges. During the first series, I was sat on the ‘wrong’ side of the sofa. I couldn’t hear my, now ex, husband Stephen properly, but I didn’t speak up. Instead, I laughed and nodded along. It was only in the next series that I was allowed to swap sides. It seems like a small thing, but these moments stayed with me, quietly shaping how I moved through life.

It’s only recently, after leaving Gogglebox in 2023 and going through a divorce from Stephen, that I’ve begun to embrace this part of myself. Turning 50 has brought a shift in perspective. I’m focussing on my health, fitness and wellbeing. More than anything, I’m learning to accept all parts of me, including my deafness. And that includes learning to communicate in new ways.

I’m about to begin learning British Sign Language, and I couldn’t be more excited. But it’s not just English signing I want to learn. I’m half French, my mum is French, and I have a big family in France, so I’m hoping to learn French Sign Language. The support of Action Deafness, a deaf-led charity, will be crucial in that journey. Partnering with them feels right. They understand the importance of visibility, inclusion and advocacy. Through them, I hope to connect with the deaf community, learn from them, and share my experiences too.

Partial deafness often goes unnoticed. People assume if you’re not completely silent, you can ‘cope’, but that’s far from the truth. There’s isolation, frustration and a constant need to adapt. I want to shine a light on partial deafness because it’s a reality for millions in the UK. About one in six adults have some form of hearing loss, yet stigma and misunderstanding continue. Sharing my story is about breaking those myths and encouraging openness.

Deafness isn’t a weakness. It’s part of who I am, and it doesn’t define my abilities. I want my story to inspire others to embrace themselves fully too, to see deafness as part of life’s rich diversity, and I want to encourage more people to learn sign language as well.

Being open about this at 50 also feels like reclaiming my life. I didn’t tell Stephen when we first started dating, and for years I navigated relationships with a sense of embarrassment. Now, after our divorce, I’m exploring my independence, and embracing opportunities to connect with others in ways I never allowed myself before.

Learning to sign is more than just a skill, it’s a statement. It’s about connecting with people I couldn’t fully reach before, about understanding a world I’ve often observed from the edges.And with the help of Action Deafness, I hope to make this journey meaningful, not just for me, but for others who have felt isolated or unseen because of their hearing.

That’s why this September feels especially significant. From 22 to 28 September it’s International Week of Deaf People. I couldn’t think of a better moment to step into this new chapter of my life, joining millions of people worldwide in celebrating deaf culture, visibility and pride.

This is my new chapter. Being visible about my partial deafness is all part of embracing who I am. I’m proud to stand with the deaf community and use my platform to encourage understanding and inclusivity. Deafness doesn’t need to be hidden, it deserves to be celebrated as one of the many ways we experience the world.

Daniel Lustig-Webb is an activist and former Gogglebox star.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Reader-funded since 1991 – Big Issue brings you trustworthy journalism that drives real change.

Every day, our journalists dig deeper, speaking up for those society overlooks.

Could you help us keep doing this vital work? Support our journalism from £5 a month.