Toxic Threads viewers all say Brian Dowling is ‘an inspiration’ as he breaks down in eye-opening documentary

TOXIC Threads viewers have all said Brian Dowling is “an inspiration” as he broke down in tears in eye-opening documentary.

Brian and his husband Arthur Gourounlian, who married in 2015 and have two kids together, have had to endure relentless trolling and online bullying for years.

Brian and Arthur revealed that while they had previously received hate online, the real “turning point” for the abuse was when they had kids

The Kildare native bravely opened up on his own struggles saying: “I was dealing with a lot from behind that I was infertile and that I’d have no biological connection to my children.

“And that really played on me. I was trying to think, ‘What happens when my children are born. What if I feel weird holding them’.”

Brian broke down in tears as he said: “So that was really tough on me and then I was getting all of this hate for even wanting to be a dad and I wasn’t sure how I was going to be a dad.”

“The stuff that I read that refers to me as their uncle is just absolutely heartbreaking.”

In the wake of a growing rise in online hate and trolling, particularly on gossip websites such as Tattle Life, Brian led a deeply personal investigation into the toxic world of online trolling and harassment.

When Brian discovered that details of his family home have been shared online, he began an emotional journey into one of the internet’s darkest corners.

And while the link to their home on a Daft post was deleted from Tattle Life, during filming Brian found out people were still posting the address.

Brian had to email Tattle Life directly to ask for it to be deleted, along with defamatory messages calling him an alcoholic.

He then turned to experienced private investigator Liam Brady, hoping to trace the anonymous account responsible for sharing his address online. 

Unfortunately, due to GDPR, the investigators couldn’t share the trolls’ information with Brian.

And Brian called on anyone who has trolled him or uses Tattle Life to come forward for a conversation, no one responded.

But in the end, Brian was still happy he bravely investigated and contacted Tattle Life himself.

Virgin Media viewers have sent Brian praise on the documentary and reacted to his honest and emotional scenes.

Shirley said: “Oh Brian this is so very sad to see you are an amazing dad and you are enough you have always been enough. You are a good person look at how you have become the most amazing, incredible supportive husband and Dad your kids are proud of you look at how they look at you.”

Gillian wrote: “You are the most fabulous dad and a very kind person and I’m sure your beautiful daughters are so so proud of you.”

June remarked: “You are inspiration, we have followed you since you walked into that BB House all those years ago. You have a lovely, beautiful family, and we love seeing your stories, take care.”

Ciara added: “Amazing dads, your girls are more than lucky to have you as parents. They are so proud of you. Stop doubting yourself. Well done on the show.”