Woman’s Day (Australia)

Farmer Dave Gay Big Brother star is dad of three!

TV’S ‘gay cowboy’ is the proud father of two children with a third on the way and all have different mums!

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Smiling his trademark wide grin as he wrangles two adorable blue-eyed girls with golden locks at our photoshoot in Queensland, there’s no mistaking former Big Brother star Dave Graham, aka “the gay cowboy”, is in his element.

It’s little wonder – the kids in question are Ev and Bonnie, the daughters he helped bring g into the world by being a donor dad. And with a third baby on the way, the handsome farmer’s smile is about to get even bigger!

“Becoming a donor has been on my mind for the last 20 years, even before I went into the Big Brother house,” explains Dave, as he poses alongside the mothers of his children – single mum Amy and same-sex couple Kris s and Jane. “I knew I could only do it if the child was going to be brought up in a stable home full of love and security.”

BECOMING A NEW DAD

It’s been more than a decade since Dave, 38, stole Australian hearts when came out on national television in 2006. And five years ago, the 38-year-old was volunteeri­ng at an LGBTIQ youth event when he met same-sex couple Kris and Jane, who were dreaming of starting a family of their own after many years together.

The connection between them was instant and they discussed having kids together right there and then. “It was just one of those cosmic things,” says Dave.

“Like any other couple having trouble conceiving, we relied on the generosity of a donor, as adoption wasn’t a possibilit­y for us, being a same-sex couple,” explain Kris and Jane, who welcomed daughter Ev in February 2016. “We’re so thankful he agreed to be our donor and play the role of ‘special uncle’ for Ev, while recognisin­g us as her parents.”

“He loves being in her company, and it’s very evident in how he interacts with her,” adds Jane, who is 38 weeks pregnant with the couple’s second daughter, also conceived with Dave’s help.

The happy-go-lucky farmer has also helped change the life of his long-term friend and single mum Amy, who welcomed bright, bubbly Bonnie nine months ago.

“When I got pregnant, I’d never heard the term ‘single mum by choice’ (SMC), I just thought I was a trailblaze­r!” laughs Amy, who plans to try for another baby in January.

GROWING FAMILY

Amy, an only child herself, says having Dave as a donor has the added benefit of giving her an instant family.

“I was welcomed with open arms and got an extended family with Kris, Jane and Ev, so it’s a bonus having the girls in our life,”

she explains, adding that the two families meet up at least once a year and stay in touch via text messages and phone calls.

“I’m so grateful to be a part of a generation where I can have a child by myself – and I know Dave will be there in a heartbeat if and when I need him.”

In fact, there’s only one rule Dave – who currently works in remote Queensland on his family’s property – sticks by.

“Whatever the mums want gets done. Whether I play zero role in the kids’ lives or they want me to take them horseridin­g on my farm, it’s their choice 100 per cent,” he says. “Becoming a dad is beyond anything I had imagined… it’s been amazing and changed my life!”

While single, Dave hopes to meet someone he can start a family of his own with one day.

“I would love to have more children! I’m the youngest of 11, so it’s in my blood to breed,” he adds with a chuckle. “I think 11 [kids] is a good starting point for now.”

‘Becoming a dad is beyond anything I had imagined... amazing!’

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