The Apprentice contestant Jonny Heaver has revealed ‘what has happened to his face’ after being bombarded with questions by BBC fans.
Jonny, 23, who is one of the current budding entrepreneurs taking part in the 19th series of the programme, opened up about it all in a recent TikTok video after many had questioned him about it.
The tutoring company owner, who has never addressed it before, was asked on the social media platform: ‘What happened to your face?’
In the six minute clip, Jonny admitted that he was reluctant to speak about it, but decided that now is the right time to do so.
Jonny, originally from Kent, said: ‘It’s something that’s obviously about me that makes me different, and we’re all different in our different ways.
‘I do think you guys have got the right to know now, hopefully you’ve built your idea of me, beyond what I look like by this point.
‘That’s why I’ve been uming and aring if I should do it or not.
‘In addition to that, I don’t want a sob story. I don’t want people to like me, and support me because of what I’ve been through.’
Jonny then revealed that it is a birth mark.
He continued: ‘Basically when I was born with a giant melanocytic naevus covering half my face and head, so all over.
‘There was a slight risk as a baby that it was Malignant, which basically means that it could be cancerous.
‘So mum and dad made the really difficult decision at the time to remove some, hence my scaring.’
The surgery was obtrusive and made his eye droop down, as well as cause pain with other things such as ingrown eyelashes.
The reality star has had skin grafts and tissue expansion, to make his eye a better shape.
Jonny said: ‘So that’s why I’ve got the scarring as well as my birth mark.’
The entrepreneur said he deals with pain, including blood shot eyes, which can be brought on by things such as the wind, pollen and sunshine.
Despite all the hard times, the star has a positive outlook on it all.
Jonny: ‘I have been through a lot of surgery in my life, but I think it’s made me stronger. Since a baby, I’ve had on and off surgery all my life.
‘I cope with pain. That gives me grit and determination.’
He also went on to say: ‘Hopefully I’m bucking that trend and showing people we’re all beautiful and we’re all unique.
‘We can go for these reality shows, big series, even if you do have a facial difference, or difference whatever that is.
‘People are all born with differences, mine is a birth making covering my face, other people it could be a physical attributes somewhere else on their body.
‘A speech thing, anything, we’ve all got things that make us different, that’s what makes us exciting as humanity.’
Many rushed to the comments section to share the love Jonny.
One said: ‘You don’t owe anyone anything, good luck in the show.’
Another added: ‘You will inspire so many people! Fair play dude! Hope you go far on The Apprentice.’
A third chimed in: ‘I think you’re fabulous Jonny, rooting for you.’
‘Never noticed how you look like at the end you are genius humble human being that’s what matters,’ a fourth commented.
A fifth said: ‘You’re my favourite this season!’
Jonny set up his business Achieve Tutoring while studying at university, which has 482 followers on Instagram.
It is known as a five star agency with over 220 clients and 8,500 sessions.
Speaking ahead of his stint on the BBC show, the tutor explained why he thinks that he’s in with a shot at winning the show.
Jonny said: ‘I believe I deserve Lord Sugar’s investment not only because I run a successful company in a massive and growing market, but also because, like Lord Sugar, I have faced setbacks in my life and have channelled them into opportunities.
‘I think Lord Sugar has done the same, which would make us a strong team.’