A MILLOM teenager who announced his sexuality to his parents while filming it has been praised for the "brutally honest and moving portrayal" after he allowed the BBC to feature it in a new documentary.

In what producers described as a UK first, 18 year-old Ross Bickerdike from Millom films himself coming out to his parents in yesterday's episode of I'm Coming Out.

He dreams of escaping to lead an openly gay life at Salford University - but first he has to get the right A level grades.

Ross decides that, if he succeeds, he’s going to come out to his parents just before he leaves. And, after watching YouTube videos of young Americans coming out to their parents, he’s decided to film it.

In the new TV series, teenagers Ross and 19-year-old Owen take part in a series of interviews in which they talk about the difficulties they faced in coming out.

Ross, a former Millom School pupil, describes how he will announce his new to his parents after securing the A Level grades he needs to take up a place at Salford Uni.

"I think people at school knew I was gay, they always had an idea and they were scared of being my friend," he recalled.

"My dad coaches football, I was into theatre and music."

During yesterday's episode, Ross is filmed walking around Millom and talking to his friends in the Bridge Cafe, before the footage shows the moment he told his parents he was gay.

In the footage, after breaking the news, Ross challenges his dad about an incident at Windermere where he appeared to be disgusted at seeing two men kissing.

His dad replies: "It's a case of I don't mind people doing it but it's something that doesn't look right when two men are kissing, from my perspective.

"It's just an opinion. I don't mind it but I don't want it in my face."

Both his parents say they had no inkling their son was secretly gay and seem stunned at their son's announcement.

His bravery in coming out to his parents on camera, has led to local campaigners praising him for his bravery.

On Facebook, Friends and Supports of the Furness LGBT Community said: "A brutally honest and moving portrayal of coming out by local lad Ross. Well worth a watch."

The two already-shown two episodes in the series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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