'He doesn't have to live in shame': Bob Harper comes out as gay to help contestant Bobby Saleem on The Biggest Loser

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: | Updated:

He helps people to lose weight on the reality show The Biggest Loser.

But Bob Harper chose to help a contestant in a different way on Tuesday's episode.

The 48-year-old came out as gay to help his team member Bobby Saleem, who was struggling to tell his father that he is homosexual.

'He doesn't have to live in shame': Bob Harper came out as gay on Tuesday's episode of The Biggest Loser to help contestant Bobby Saleem (R), who was struggling to break his news of being homosexual to his father
'He doesn't have to live in shame': Bob Harper came out as gay on Tuesday's episode of The Biggest Loser to help contestant Bobby Saleem (R), who was struggling to break his news of being homosexual to his father

'He doesn't have to live in shame': Bob Harper came out as gay on Tuesday's episode of The Biggest Loser to help contestant Bobby Saleem (R), who was struggling to break his news of being homosexual to his father

'I haven't talked about my sexuality on this show ever,' Harper said during his confessional. 'And now, meeting Bobby, I really do believe this is the right time. I want to show Bobby that he doesn't have to live in shame.'

The Tennessee native then sat down with Saleem and shared his own journey.

'I'm gay. I knew a very long time ago that I was gay,' Harper said. 'When I came out - when I was 17 years old - it was one of those things where I realised that there were going to be so many obstacles, but being gay doesn't mean being weak.

'And being gay doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. It's just who you are.'

First time: Harper said it was the first time he had talked about his sexuality on the show

First time: Harper said it was the first time he had talked about his sexuality on the show

Saleem - who had already come out on the show - agreed he would talk to his father.

After the show aired, Harper took to Twitter after receiving positive reactions from fans.

'THANK YOU to everyone that supported my decision to talk about being gay w/ Bobby,' he wrote. 'I felt like it was appropriate & necessary. LOVE Y'ALL!!'

Saleem also thanks Harper on Twitter for his help. 'Thank you @MyTrainerBob for the words that have changed the path of my life.'

Positive feedback: Harper (R) was flooded with support from fans after coming out, pictured with fellow trainers Dolvett Quinc and Jillian Michaels

Positive feedback: Harper (R) was flooded with support from fans after coming out, pictured with fellow trainers Dolvett Quinc and Jillian Michaels





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