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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
James Morris

CJ de Mooi: Former Eggheads star reveals he is dying from Aids

CJ de Mooi, pictured in 2011, said 'I've been living with AIDS for 30 years' (Picture: Hugh Macknight/PA)

Former Eggheads star CJ de Mooi has said he is dying from Aids.

Mr de Mooi, real name Joseph Connagh, claimed he has been living with Aids for three decades.

The 49-year-old, who was a panellist on the BBC quiz show for more than a decade, tweeted: “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.”

In recent days, Mr de Mooi has been running a fundraising page, claiming he is in danger of losing his house.

The page, on GoFundMe, aims to raise £15,000 and has reached nearly £4,000.

However, Mr de Mooi called for people to stop donating on Monday morning and instead help victims of the Sri Lanka attacks, in which 290 people died.

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.”

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