My son Alex’s dad ‘disowned him’ when he came out as gay at 16 says EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison

EX-EASTENDERS star Cheryl Fergison claims her son's dad disowned him when he came out as gay aged 16.

The actress, who played Heather Trott in the soap, opened up about her relationship with son Alex on podcast.

She heaped praise on the young actor and writer and revealed how he overcame adversity as a child to make a success of his life.

"When he came out at 16 his dad disowned him. He doesn't speak to him," said Cheryl, 56.

"He's been through that and I've re-married since and everybody is accepting in our family now.

"In his 22 years of life, he has gone through the mill and back. But whatever has happened we have been side-by-side. As long as he's happy and healthy that is all that matters."

LGBT ally Cheryl said she often hits drag clubs with Alex and was an advocate for equal rights long before her son was born.

She said she often discusses the gay community with friend Paul O'Grady and is thankful the world is becoming more accessible.

Speaking about the difficulties her son faced growing up, she continued: "He suffered from AHDH, he went to a behavioural school. The world wanted to put him on medication, but I ended up taking him off it. He could've been a really naughty boy and ended up with not a fantastic life.

"But I decided to take control and say, 'There's nothing wrong with him, he just wants to do his own thing and if he wants to wear a dress then so be it. If he wants to put make-up on then so be it.

"Now, he's an amazingly, rounded young man who has been through challenges."

Cheryl also voiced her desire to take part in I'm A Celebrity, but claimed ITV has 'banned' her because she previously appeared in Celebrity Big Brother.

"I've desperately wanted to, the whole of my life, even pre-Big Brother, do the Jungle. But unfortunately, if you've done Big Brother you cannot go into the Jungle.

"For some reason ITV think it's too near. I think it's silly. "