Glyn Wise

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Glyn Wise
Born (1988-01-09) 9 January 1988 (age 37)
Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales
Occupation(s)Reality TV star, politician, radio presenter, minister, deacon
TelevisionBig Brother UK
Political partyReform UK

Glyn Wise (born 9 January 1988) is a Welsh reality television star, politician, radio presenter and Church in Wales Minister, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales. He is best known for appearing on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006.[1]

Early life

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Wise was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog to an English father and Welsh mother. His first language is Welsh. He attended Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy in Llanrwst, where he was head boy. He missed his A-level exams due to appearing on Big Brother.[2] Prior to entering the Big Brother house, he worked as a lifeguard and had hoped to study Welsh at Bangor University.[3]

In 2003, aged 15, he began presenting on BBC Radio Cymru show, Radio Blaenau.[4] He later returned to radio and became a regular presenter on BBC Radio Cymru from 2006, until 2012.[5]

Television career

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In 2006, Wise was a housemate on the seventh series of British reality television series Big Brother UK.[1] This series of Big Brother was the third most watched in history with an average of 4.7 million viewers. Wise entered Day 1 and was the runner-up of the show, losing to Pete Bennett.[6][7]

During his time on the show he was involved in a controversy, after he was reprimanded for communicating in his first language, Welsh, with fellow housemate Imogen Thomas. Big Brother deemed this as a form of "code" issuing Wise with a formal warning,[8] who retorted with; "but Welsh is a British language?".[9] Following the incident the Welsh Language Society complained to Channel 4, Ofcom and S4C. After this, Wise and Thomas continued to converse in Welsh and such discussions were broadcast with English-language subtitles.[10]

In 2010, he appeared on Ultimate Big Brother, in the "Bubble Hold Me" task. Between 2012 and 2014, he also made regular appearances on Big Brother's Bit on the Side.

After appearing on Big Brother, Wise appeared on multiple television shows including; The Charlotte Church Show, Ready Steady Cook and Richard & Judy.[11][better source needed] He also appeared on numerous Welsh television shows including; Wedi 7 and Uned 5[12] he was also a guest presenter on S4C's children's show Planed Plant.[13][14]

In 2025, it was announced that Wise was a contestant in the second series of Netflix's reality series; Squid Game: The Challenge.[15][16]

Political career

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As a long-time supporter of the Welsh Nationalist party Plaid Cymru, in July 2015, Wise was announced as their candidate in Cardiff Central for the 2016 National Assembly for Wales election.[17][18] He told the Press Association; "I can relate to the young people and the issues affecting them very well. Young people deserve more of a voice in politics. Plus, I've always been passionate about my country and wanted the best for Wales - as does Plaid Cymru."[19][20] Wise finished in fourth place in the Cardiff Central in May 2016.[21]

Three months later, he quit Plaid Cymru due to the party's support for the European Union. Wise tweeted the following statement; "Decided to leave Plaid Cymru today as we don't share the same vision / direction for our country any more".[22] He pledged his support for the Brexit Party (now Reform UK) at the 2019 European Parliament election.[23]

Church in Wales

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In 2022, Wise announced that he was training to become an ordained minister in the Church of Wales. He has been a Christian since attending Sunday School as a child. He claimed that moving to China had a big impact on his decision, claiming he wanted to bring the good word back to Wales, that he'd heard while visiting South Korea. He was officially ordained in 2022.[24][25]

He ran the 2022 London Marathon to raise money for the Salvation Army,[26] he did it again in 2024 in aid of two North Wales churches.[27]

Personal life

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In 2007, he released his book titled Blwyddyn Fawr Glyn Wise (Glyn Wise's Big Year).

In 2012, he began working as a Welsh language teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun secondary school in Penywaun.[28] After teaching there for two years, he became a tutor at Cardiff University, where he worked until 2016.[5]

Wise is bisexual.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Big Brother UK series 7 Self; housemate 2nd place, 107 episodes
Big Brother Uncut Self; housemate 25 episodes
Big Brother's Little Brother Self; ex-housemate 1 episode
Richard & Judy Self; guest 1 episode
Uned 5 Self; guest 1 episode
Wedi 7 Self; guest 1 episode
Planed Plant Self; guest presenter 1 episode
The Charlotte Church Show Self; guest 1 episode
Ready Steady Cook Self; guest 1 episode
2009 Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow Self; audience member 1 episode
2010 Ultimate Big Brother Self; ex-housemate 3 episodes
2011 The Silent Library Self; contestant 1 episode
2012-2014 Big Brother's Bit on the Side Self; ex-housemate 4 episodes
2013 Zombies From Ireland Glyn
2022 This Morning Self; guest 1 episode
2024 Rob Beckett's Smart TV Self; guest 1 episode
2025 Squid Game: The Challenge series 2 Self; Player 036

References

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  1. ^ a b Lawson, Mark (19 August 2006). "Big Brother – does anyone really still watch it? Yes, one in four of us actually". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  2. ^ Bloom, Adi (23 June 2006). "Big Brother's Glyn absent for A-levels". Tes Magazine. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Glyn's a star after taking BB silver". North Wales Live. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Final broadcast for Radio Blaenau". 4 April 2007 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  5. ^ a b Williamson, David (18 April 2016). "Assembly election 2016: Who is standing in Cardiff Central?". WalesOnline. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Big Brother runner-up believes show "needs a rest"". Digital Spy. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Big Brother 7 cast – where are they now?". Heatworld. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Big Brother's warning over Welsh". 19 May 2006. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Big Brother and Westminster both ban Welsh". WalesOnline. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  10. ^ Rogers, Jude (21 June 2006). "Llook who's talking". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  11. ^ Boyle, Catherine (28 February 2007). "Big Brother 7 - Where are they now?". Daily Express. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  12. ^ Price, Karen (29 May 2007). "Big Brother changes you, says Glyn". Wales Online. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  13. ^ "BB Glyn looks to kick-start new career". Wales Online. 31 October 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Glyn joins S4C for some half-term fun". Wales Online. 31 October 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Ex-Big Brother contestant-turned-vicar stars on Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge". North Wales Chronicle. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Big Brother's Glyn Wise returns to reality TV after 19 years". Heatworld. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  17. ^ Mears, Tyler (19 July 2015). "Big Brother's Glyn Wise to stand for Plaid Cymru". WalesOnline. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  18. ^ Wightman, Catriona (21 July 2015). "Big Brother's Glyn Wise has become a politician". Digital Spy.
  19. ^ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard (6 April 2016). "Remember this Big Brother contestant? You'll never guess what he's up to now". Metro. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  20. ^ Bartlett, Evan (7 April 2016). "Glyn Wise from Big Brother 7 looks a lot older now and is into his politics". indy100. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  21. ^ https://business.senedd.wales/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=254
  22. ^ Shipton, Martin (25 August 2016). "Former Big Brother contestant Glyn Wise quits Plaid Cymru – because they back the EU". WalesOnline. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  23. ^ Wise, Glyn [@GlynWise] (23 May 2019). "Today is the day for a #Brexit victory. Of you believe in democracy and want to carry out the will of the British public, vote for the @brexitparty_uk today. Every vote counts people" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Owen, Cathy; Evans, Matthew (5 April 2022). "Big Brother runner-up Glyn Wise is now planning on becoming a priest". North Wales Live. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  25. ^ "From Big Brother to 'y Bod Mawr': Glyn Wise accepted for Ordained Ministry with the Church in Wales". Nation.Cymru. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  26. ^ Hope, Simon (29 September 2022). "The London Marathon: running on a prayer". Salvationist. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  27. ^ Evans, Arron (7 April 2024). "Ex- Big Brother star Glyn Wise is taking on London Marathon". North Wales Chronicle.
  28. ^ "Big Brother's Glyn Wise gets a new job as Welsh teacher at secondary school". BBC News. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2023.