It’s Father Dowling
DWTS contestant tells of US bid to become parent before he’s 45
Brian with his mum & husband Arthur
The much-loved TV personality, who turns 42 this year, has narrowed down his options for becoming a parent with his husband Arthur Gourounlian.
With strict restrictions for same-sex couples in Europe, the pair are looking at adoption and surrogacy in Los Angeles where there is more support available.
He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “You obviously have to go down a different road [to straight couples] and it is not easy.
“Forget the financial aspect, it is about really putting the work in to find the resources and understand the options of surrogacy and adoption
“There is a lot that goes into it, it is not as easy as getting pregnant.
“We have had our meetings in LA because it is more popular there, so there is more information about surrogacy and adoption.
“You can legally buy eggs in America, whereas in other countries you can’t do that.
“We are looking at what works for us because we were both on different pages with becoming parents and now we have decided where we want to go.”
Brian & Arthur
Brian is eager to start a family after losing his mum Rosie suddenly last year made him aware that life is precious.
He added: “Arthur is turning 40 and I am turning 42 this year and I would like to think that we will have our family before I am 45.
“Arthur wants three kids and I want one, maybe two, so I have a busy few years ahead of me.
“You want to be young enough when you are at the school gates.
“You don’t want kids asking, ‘Is that your granddad’ and our child to reply, ‘No, that is my dad’. “I also lost my mum at 61 and I am conscious of my mortality and I question it a lot.
“I want to be there for my child or my children. But nowadays 40 is the new 30.”
Brian will perform a Cha Cha to Sister Sledge’s We Are Family on tonight’s RTE show.
The former Big Brother winner said: “It is a celebration and a thank you to my sisters, I am dancing in honour of them. Family is everything to me. I am the eldest so there were six of them against me, but, of course, I was very protective as the only boy.”
Last week, saw Glenda Gilson’s surprise elimination and Brian knows nobody is safe as a result.
He added: “I was very surprised to see Glenda go and I could go next, nobody knows.”
I want to be there for my child. But nowadays 40 is the new 30 BRIAN DOWNLING ON HIS DESIRE TO BECOME A DAD
news@irishmirror.ie