The first-ever returning picker on Naked Attraction is a competitor, but Sarah, who previously played David, feels quite differently about the show this time around.
The 54-year-old is searching for love as a proud pansexual trans woman in her new body following her transition.
Despite being completely honest on the body positivity dating series, she has never felt more confident.
Sarah said that even though she is returning to the Channel 4 series, she feels completely different in an interview with Metro.co.uk.
She explained: ‘I’ve done the show, Sarah has done the show, and David has done the show, and actually we really are quite different people. So although I am a returning picker, it’s actually two different people doing it.’
Sarah felt at ease during the process since she had previously appeared on the show in season three, which made her feel as like she knew “exactly” what to expect.
But a second factor in her having “no nerves at all” was her subsequent sensation of overwhelming confidence.
Sarah said: ‘The other reason is that I’m so much more confident than David was, by going through this transition, you’re always taking giant leaps outside your comfort zone all the time, almost every day in some cases and by doing that, you actually find you develop amazing self confidence.
‘By going on the show, I just felt so much more relaxed and confident than I did before, which I think is great, because then you get to see the real person rather than someone who’s a bit conscious about the cameras and everything else going on.’
Sarah also told us how ’empowered’ she felt, showing off her new body on television.
‘It is so empowering,’ she said. ‘There are things about my body I really don’t like, I don’t like looking at, there’s things I wish were different perhaps, but I absolutely love my body because it is mine and being able to show that confidence that you can actually be proud of your body – we’ve all got bits that we don’t like, so going on the show and saying to everyone, “I’m happy to share it because this is my body, and I love it, it’s not perfect, I don’t care.”
‘It’s mine and it’s about self love, so going on the show is another giant leap outside the comfort zone but it’s a way of reaffirming your love for your own body.’
Sarah considered it particularly essential to be sharing her experience on Naked Attraction in light of the current “negativity” surrounding the trans community, which includes rallies happening in America and false information spreading online.
‘This is a beautiful channel of putting a positive slant, a positive image, on trans-people and the more that people can see the human side of trans and non-binary people, the more education there is, the less fear there is.
‘And when there’s less fear, there’s less transphobic responses, there’s more honesty and people becoming a little bit more accepting.’
She continued: ‘Whether you’re trans or not transgender, non binary, we all have the same emotions, the same desires for dating and company, relationships, and I think for it to go on TV, this just gives an opportunity for people to see how real it is.
‘It is real life… This is not a quirk, it’s not a kink, it’s not a fad. It’s who we are.’
In the episode airing on Wednesday, Sarah breaks down in tears after her date because she feels grateful despite being ‘let down’ in the past.
‘They just brush people aside, like they’re so disposable, and it really hurts, and when you’re trans and you’re going out and you’re starting dating for the first time, you’re actually, really quite vulnerable and sensitive, and to have people not turn up or cancel last minute, really sorts of hurts and knocks the self-esteem.’
However, Sarah said following her appearance on the programme that it was “just such a beautiful feeling to know that yes, I can date again.”
Recalling filming her first appearance on Naked Attraction as David, Sarah told us: ‘I remember David said at the start of his episode that he was looking to find himself, he actually used that phrase.
‘And, you know, this is where I found myself, I know who I am. And that just makes it seem more real and more honest and more open.’
Talking about her dream for empowering other people after the episode airs, she added: ‘I hope something positive comes out, that’s absolutely my dream.
‘Like an ideal dream is that somewhere out there, there is going to be someone who is trans and is fighting with the decision to start the journey, and I just hope this can give some inspiration to them to start that journey because I tell you what, the joy I have in life, and the confidence I have now is just so amazing.
‘I’m permanently on high all the time. It’s just the most beautiful thing. And I just hope someone else can find that joy.’
Naked Attraction airs tonight, Wednesday April 19, at 10.15pm on Channel 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.