A lover was overcome with emotion after coming out as gay to her grandparents.
stars as the in the popular programme – which is based on the true story of real-life diarist Anne – who in the first series began a romance with another woman.
With the season two finale just days away, a documentary dedicated to the show, Gentleman Jack Changed My Life, told the story of six devoted viewers who were inspired by Anne’s courage to live openly.
Chichi, 22 – who came out to her parents after watching the programme – revealed that she hadn’t come out to her grandparents, because ‘whenever they’ve said the word gay.
She said: ‘It’s always been in a negative light most of the time.
‘I did go through a period thinking I was pansexual and then realising I definitely am gay. I was quite grateful to do it how I wanted to do it, tell people how I wanted to tell them, and go at my own pace which was quite nice.’
After Chichi came out to her grandparents, she was struggling to hold back the tears as they repeatedly thanked her for telling them.
‘I kept quiet for three years,’ she said.
‘You’re still the same Chichi, you seem happier and that’s good and that’s everything,’ her grandma added.
After coming out, Chichi continued: ‘I still find it hard to say the word gay, because of the amount of shame that is still there, but I can come for the weekend and enjoy it, and I don’t have to question it when they say they love me, they love all of me.’
Before season two made its debut, actress Suranne expressed how overwhelmed she felt that her ’ made such a big impact.
‘The fact that it’s changed people’s lives is extraordinary,’ she said during the show launch.
‘I think when we first talked about what Sally’s Gentleman Jack was going to be, it was almost like a steampunk period drama.
‘There’s no other period drama like this,’ she added.
Gentleman Jack Changed My Life is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and Gentleman Jack returns on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.
