<i>Big Brother</i>'s Ben dismissed from job at Virgin because of 'anxiety and depression'

Former Big Brother housemate Ben Zabel has broken his silence on the real reason he parted ways with Virgin Australia last year.

In a Facebook post that has since been shared 1200 times, 30-year-old Ben revealed that his "anxiety and depression" was the main reason the airline showed him the door.

He posted: "A year ago I was 'dismissed' from Virgin Australia as I suffered severe anxiety and depression and was no longer fit to fly. I was just 5 months short of 10 years long service, and a free return trip for two to the USA (taking mum to Graceland of course!)

"A year later I'm flying weekly with Qantas (ch 9 contract) and being upgraded to business! The lesson to be learned? Never be afraid to ask for help, and never let a 'stigma' stop you from giving new things a go! Look how my life has transformed, in part to all of your kindness and support. Thank you."

Ben also confirmed to News.com.au that he recently wrote a personal letter to the Virgin CEO John Borghetti… and received a verbal apology from the company.

"Legally they have done nothing wrong," Ben added. "Morally they might have a duty of care, but they didn’t try to find me anything. It doesn’t make them look good."

The former reality star said that he'd been unemployed for six weeks when he applied to go on Big Brother last April and was open with the talent scouts about his struggle with depression.

In pics: Famous after Big Brother