A FORMER Strictly star has branded the TV industry as 'manipulative' after quitting fame for OnlyFans.
John Whaite rose to fame after winning The Great British Bake Off in 2012.
The 36-year-old later competed on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing as runner-up behind Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Speaking to Gay Times Magazine, John opened up about his experiences in the TV industry.
The baker and presenter said: "I think the deeper conversation here is about welfare generally within the TV industry. I think that is still very much an elusive beast.
"As soon as Strictly finishes, it's like, get out the hotel, get out the flat, go home, but that is a life- altering event for the individual who's been subject to the headlines, often at the hand of these shows, because these shows sometimes feed stories to the media.
"TV is manipulative and it's a distortion of truth, there's always an ulterior motive.
"People aren't being fed the unadulterated, objective truth. And I certainly don't subscribe to that."
Continuing, John recounted how he was "around 23" during his time on Bake Off.
He recalled thinking his "existence hinged on being successful in television."
John added: "But I think when you go through all these different permutations of your life, you start to realise that the b******t just does not matter.
"What actually matters is your health, your sanity, your loved ones, your family, be it biological or chosen."
Elsewhere in the interview, John revealed a family member had called him "disgusting" due to his OnlyFans content.
The Sun previously revealed how he made a return to the platform earlier this year.
The star had been posting a series of very explicit videos and images for his legion of subscribers on the adult-only website.
Sources close to the star – who was paired with Johannes Radebe on Strictly - said: “John has been telling friends he feels really empowered by posting what he wants.
“He’s in amazing shape and is proud of how far he has come.
“He’s says it really has nothing to do with money and it’s not about helping fund his bakery business.
“John doesn’t care what anyone else thinks.
"He’s really happy with the content he is creating.”
