Ex Eggheads star CJ de Mooi reveals he contracted HIV as a teen prostitute

Former Eggheads star CJ de Mooi, real name Joseph Connagh, has given an update on his health and legal woes, after revealing he is 'dying from AIDS'.

The 49-year-old spoke to Eamonn Holmes on talkRadio on Tuesday and bravely revealed he contracted HIV aged just 18 after being forced into prostitution while living on the streets 'in a bid to stay alive'. 

He also claimed ongoing legal and financial woes have 'weakened his immune system,' due to the stress as he is worried about losing his home.

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30-year battle: Ex Eggheads star CJ de Mooi, 49, bravely told Eamonn Holmes on talkRADIO on Tuesday that he contracted HIV while being forced to work as a teen prostitute in a bid to 'stay alive' while homeless - he recently revealed he is 'dying from AIDS'

30-year battle: Ex Eggheads star CJ de Mooi, 49, bravely told Eamonn Holmes on talkRADIO on Tuesday that he contracted HIV while being forced to work as a teen prostitute in a bid to 'stay alive' while homeless - he recently revealed he is 'dying from AIDS'

An honest account: CJ told Eamonn (pictured) his ongoing legal and financial woes are 'weakening his immune system' amid his AIDS battle, due to the incredible amount of stress

An honest account: CJ told Eamonn (pictured) his ongoing legal and financial woes are 'weakening his immune system' amid his AIDS battle, due to the incredible amount of stress

He said: 'This has been a situation that I've been living with now for 30 years. With the current medication, the situation is manageable. 

'I went to the hospital and I was stable. I've been given a course of new medication. Over the last three years, I've had a lot of issues, shall we say?'  

'The constant stress of everything that's been going on, has, according to my doctor, weakened my immune system so much that it's now very vulnerable.

'I'm getting more and more ill every day.' 

Tough time: CJ (pictured on Eggheads in 2016), faced spiralling legal fees while fighting extradition to the Netherlands over claims he murdered a homeless man in Amsterdam in 1988 - charges which were later dropped by the British courts

Tough time: CJ (pictured on Eggheads in 2016), faced spiralling legal fees while fighting extradition to the Netherlands over claims he murdered a homeless man in Amsterdam in 1988 - charges which were later dropped by the British courts

CJ faced spiralling legal fees while fighting extradition to the Netherlands over claims he murdered a homeless man in Amsterdam in 1988 - charges which were later dropped by the British courts.  

He declared bankruptcy in September, 2018, his spokesperson said this was due to opposing solicitors trying to recoup costs relating to the false allegation of sexual assault made against him in 2016. 

CJ lives with his husband of three years, and partner of 18 years, Andrew Doran in Caldicot, Monmouthshire but continues to worry about losing their home.

He told Eamonn: 'I don't want to be dramatic, or cynical, but the case could drag on for another eight months and I could lose the house anyway.

'The only way it goes away and I get better, is if the claim against me is removed and I can just get on with my life.

'I don't want people to feel sorry for me, especially about my health. I don't know how long I've got left. 

'I contracted HIV when I was 18 because I was sleeping on the streets. I had to resort to prostitution just in order to stay alive. I'm not ashamed of that, I did it because I wanted to live. Here I am 30 years later, still quite fit, quite healthy.' 

On Easter Sunday, the former quiz show star took to Twitter to reveal he is 'dying of AIDS'. 

He wrote: 'I’ve been living with AIDS for 30 years but the agony of the last 3 years means I may not have many left.

'I’m outwardly healthy, still running and am staying positive I can get better.

'Thank you all for your love and if I can do anything to help any of you, please just ask. CJ.' 

Pinned to the top of CJ's Twitter is a link to a GoFundMe page, which aims to raise £15k. At the time of writing, the total was at £3,537.  

Speaking out: The TV star previously thanked fans for their support, adding: 'I hope I can return the love and positivity you’ve shown me'

Speaking out: The TV star previously thanked fans for their support, adding: 'I hope I can return the love and positivity you’ve shown me'

Sad: Taking to the micro-blogging site on Easter Sunday, the 49-year-old, whose real name is Joseph Connagh, wrote - 'I’ve been living with AIDS for 30 years but the agony of the last 3 years means I may not have many left'

Sad: Taking to the micro-blogging site on Easter Sunday, the 49-year-old, whose real name is Joseph Connagh, wrote - 'I’ve been living with AIDS for 30 years but the agony of the last 3 years means I may not have many left'

A tweet that appeared on the account five hours later was written by 'Joe' and appeared to be updating CJ's followers on the situation.

Joe posted: 'Thank you so much to everyone who donated, commented, retweeted or sent support.'   

The TV star thanked fans for their support, adding: 'I hope I can return the love and positivity you’ve shown me.' 

On Monday, he tweeted 'Thank you all for the support but if you were donating to my page today, please give to the victims of the Sri Lanka attacks instead. They need it more. Love CJ.'

De Mooi, who was a panellist on the cult hit BBC Two quiz show for more than a decade, sparked a flurry of headlines when his autobiography was published in 2015. 

He described being confronted by a knifeman whom he attacked and threw into one of Amsterdam's famous canals when he was a penniless teenager in 1988.

On the up: De Mooi became a panellist on the BBC Two show Eggheads in 2003 after winning a series of game shows

On the up: De Mooi became a panellist on the BBC Two show Eggheads in 2003 after winning a series of game shows

Describing the man as a knife-wielding mugger, he wrote in his autobiography: 'He caught me on the wrong day and I just snapped. 

'I punched him so hard in the face, knocked the knife out of his hand and threw him in the canal. I fully suspect I killed him. I've no idea what happened to him.'

In May 2016, Dutch authorities said Mr Connagh was wanted for alleged 'murder, manslaughter and assault' and he was arrested at London Heathrow Airport.

But the warrant was torn up at Westminster Magistrates' Court in October 2016. 

His lawyer Chris Stevens said at the time: 'There doesn't appear to be a named victim in the warrant, date of birth or even an address where this matter took place.' 

Dutch authorities later dropped the extradition attempt - but de Mooi was left in serious financial trouble and filed bankruptcy paperwork last September.

He has also alleged that he was sacked from Eggheads in 2016 on the same day claims he sexually assaulted a man on a night out in Glasgow were dropped.

Now de Mooi, has claimed his house is being possessed and he is worried about being made homeless.  

Tumultuous: De Mooi, who was a panellist on the cult hit BBC Two quiz show for more than a decade, sparked a flurry of headlines when his autobiography was published in 2015

Tumultuous: De Mooi, who was a panellist on the cult hit BBC Two quiz show for more than a decade, sparked a

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