Chris Hughes has grown accustomed to defending JoJo Siwa, his partner of a blossoming romance that has been under intense scrutiny since their time on Celebrity Big Brother.
Every aspect of their relationship, from their age gap to JoJo's trademark hair bows, has been dissected and debated online.
For Hughes, it was a recent podcast clip discussing JoJo's appearance that sparked his frustration, prompting him to fire back on social media.
Speaking to Metro, he reveals that his comments were not solely about that one clip, but rather a culmination of seeing countless people share their opinions on social media, which he believes has become a breeding ground for bullying.
He recalls one particularly hurtful comment that stuck with him, saying, 'Not everybody needs to do a podcast, and that's okay.'
Hughes admits that his comment on social media was the final straw, as he had been building up to it for days.
He expresses his admiration for JoJo's ability to stay above the negativity, saying, 'She's an expert at dealing with things, her mindset and her level of restraint when it comes to not reacting is genuinely incredible.'
The couple's relationship has also been at the center of conversations about sexuality and labels, but Hughes insists that's never been how they've viewed their relationship.
'JoJo has said, "You're attracted to who you're attracted to,"' he says, 'That's the way she sees life, and we all see life differently.'
Hughes emphasizes that their relationship works because they care for each other, love being around each other, and share a strong bond.
The couple has spoken publicly about marriage and children, but Hughes says they're in no rush, adding, 'When it happens, it happens when the time's right.'
In the meantime, Hughes is keeping busy with a new venture, teaming up with Pet Database to launch 'The Microchip Shop' on Brighton seafront, aiming to encourage pet owners to check their microchip details and reunite lost animals with their families.
Hughes reflects on his long and varied career, which has taken him from Love Island finalist to horse racing presenter, documentary-maker, reality TV star, and now campaign ambassador.
When asked what people still get wrong about him after almost a decade in the public eye, Hughes laughs, saying, 'Yeah, I'm very intelligent, people spend a bit of time around me and they realise I'm actually intelligent.'
He recalls a debate about whether reality TV stars could be intelligent, saying, 'Everyone has different levels of intelligence, we're all individuals, going on a reality show doesn't define you.'
