There's a specific kind of vulnerability that comes with hitting 'post' on something deeply personal. It's a feeling Alfie Watts, the 23-year-old travel creator who won the 2024 season of the BBC's Race Across the World, just shared with his followers.
In a casual 'reintroduction' on Instagram, Alfie posted a carousel of facts people might not know about him. Tucked in amongst tidbits about being a martial arts pro at nine was a simple, powerful slide. It showed him sitting on a faded rainbow bridge with the words: "I'm bisexual, and this is the first time I've ever said it online, so you probably didn't know – surprise!"
He followed it up with a small, honest admission in parentheses: "(What a terrifying thing to say out loud)". It’s a sentiment that will likely resonate with many of us in the community. That mix of wanting to be seen for who you are, and the deep breath you have to take before you share it with the world, is a familiar journey.
The response, thankfully, was a wave of warmth and support from friends and followers in his comments. It's a great moment of visibility from someone who captured hearts on a mainstream show that isn't explicitly queer-focused. For those who might not have seen it, Alfie became the show's youngest-ever winner after racing by land from Japan to Indonesia with his school friend, Owen Wood. He's since gone on to co-host the show's official podcast, The Detour.
Alfie's post feels like part of a welcome trend. Not long ago, Freddie Fraser from the UK's version of The Traitors also opened up about his journey of realising he was bisexual and introduced his boyfriend online. Seeing young men from popular reality TV shows feel comfortable enough to share their identity publicly is a quiet but welcome sign of progress.
For now, we're just happy to see Alfie sharing his full self. It's a reminder that every coming out story is unique, and that even the most adventurous people can find it scary to take that step. Welcome to the family, Alfie.
