Big Brother 9: Mikey's blindness started at 4

Blind housemate Mikey Hughes lost his sight because of a rare genetic disorder called Stickler Syndrome.

Mikey, 33, first started suffering sight problems when he was just four years old - when an optician said he needed glasses. He then lost his sight in his left eye, but was too frightened to tell his parents at first.

Mikey then endured 14 painful operations throughout his childhood after he was diagnosed with the syndrome before finally losing the sight in his right eye at 23.

And Mikey, who was adopted when he was just four months old, presumes he inherited the disorder from his real parents, whom he has never met.

He and his live-in girlfriend Angela, 40, want to have children - but there is a 50 per cent chance the syndrome will be passed on.

Writing on a website for Stickler's sufferers radio producer Mikey, of Clydebank, near Glasgow, said: "At least if we had a child we would be prepared."

Stickler Syndrome affects one in 10,000 people and symptoms include cataracts, stiff joints, a flat face with a small nose and mouth and hearing loss.

Despite the severity of Mikey's illness he revealed how he overcame the obstacles of blindness and obtained a university degree.

Meanwhile Mikey, who has appeared on TV before on quiz shows such as The Weakest Link and likes having his photo taken with celebrities, has spoken about his bizarre fascination with Nazi memorabilia - which he says he admires the design of.

Mikey, who also collects other military paraphernalia such as helmets and daggers, said: "I do realise that collecting Third Reich militaria can be considered distasteful."

Via sundaymirror.co.uk