The Gay UK November 2015 Issue 16 | Page 41

INTERVIEW JOSHRAFTER Josh is no ordinary Estate Agent, in fact he physically recoils at the notion, after all he puts honesty and listening at the top of his list of priorities in business. Born in Nigeria, raised in Surrey, son to a travelling British Telecom engineer, Josh became famous during the 2001 series of Big Brother, the one that Brian Dowling would go on to win. Legend has it that Rafter paid flier boys to poster up Soho in order to secure enough gay votes to enter the house. Whether it was his pecs or his cute face it worked and he was successfully voted into the house. Something of a serial entrepreneur Josh has tried his hand at a portfolio of different businesses from the 90’s rave scene, clothing through to gay dating ventures, but it’s Outlet, his property firm in central London, that has stood the test of time. Outlet has just celebrated its 20th year in business. Rafter comes from good stock, his Grandmother is 103 and having turned 47 this year he hasn’t aged since his Big Brother days, but far from being concerned about looks and superficial guff, during our interview at London’s swanky Soho House private members’ club over cup of green tea, conversation turns to his hippy nature, his love of charity and why gay men make great listeners. THEGAYUK | ISSUE 16 | NOV 2015 41