Celebrity Big Brother’s India Willoughby says gender reassignment surgery was ‘like having a tooth out’

The newsreader said having the operation was a 'relief'
Topical chat: India Willoughby opened up about her experience of transitioning
Channel 5

Celebrity Big Brother housemate India Willoughby has said gender reassignment surgery was "like having a tooth out".

In scenes to be aired in Thursday’s show, Willoughby, who is Britain’s first ever transgender news reader, was questioned by her fellow contestants about her experiences of transitioning.

Former Made in Chelsea star Ashley James asked: “Did it hurt?”.

To which Willoughby replied: “No! Do you know what? It was like having a tooth out.

“Seriously, I’ve been in more agony going to the dentist. And everyone says ‘oh well how did you feel when you woke up, was it really sore and were you really excited?’ But honestly, no difference whatsoever.”

“I was just relieved that it was all over and done with. Before then I spent every single day right from being a kid, the first thing that was going on in my head every day I woke up was this gender thing, you know, that the body didn’t match the brain, ” she explained.

The Channel 5 anchor later revealed that she had had her surgery on the NHS, which sparked a discussion around the health service’s priorities.

When asked what she thought about having gender reassignment surgery on the NHS Ann Widdecombe said “the NHS can’t do everything”.

Celebrity Big Brother 2018 contestants - in pictures

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“People are going without. Then you’ve got to ask yourself what the priority should be.”

She continued: “Match that against children going blind, children with cancer. Priorities are fine as long as you’re not the one implementing them.”

The topical chat followed on from a controversial discussion in Wednesday’s programme which saw Amanda Barrie call women who sleep with movie producers for parts ‘stupid’, and Widdecombe claim that victims of the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal, had ‘a choice’.

Celebrity Big Brother continues Thursday, January 4 at 9pm on Channel 5.

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