FORMER Eggheads star CJ de Mooi has said he is ‘dying from AIDS’ and facing potential homelessness in a social media post.

The 49-year-old from Monmouthshire, who featured on the BBC Two quiz show, was fired in 2016 amid allegations he assaulted a man.

While the accusations were found to be false, it was claimed the reports harmed his career irrevocably. Now CJ has taken to Twitter to update followers on his life, claiming he may only have a few years left to live.

"I’ve been living with AIDS for 30 years but the agony of the last 3 years means I may not have many left," he wrote on Sunday.

"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. CJ."

South Wales Argus:

He also faced financial hardship amid the huge legal bills he was faced to pay in fighting extradition to the Netherlands over allegations he murdered a homeless man in Amsterdam in 1988.

In his autobiography, CJ - real name Joseph Connagh - wrote that he was confronted by a knife-wielding thug in the city, and ‘half-punched, half-pushed’ him into a canal and walked away.

The investigation was dropped.

But a fund has been set up encouraging fans to donate.

The GoFundMe page, set up under the name Joe, reads: ‘As many of you are aware, CJ needs money desperately. After false accusations were made about him, he lost his job, livelihood and reputation. He has said, done and written nothing wrong, broken no law and committed no offence.'

South Wales Argus:

A more ecent post said: 'Thank you so much to everyone who donated, commented, retweeted or sent support. You are amazing as is the £3348.72 raised for CJ so far.

‘If he somehow manages to save his house, it will all be repaid or go to charity.'

‘However, he is bankrupt, extremely ill and in imminent danger of losing his house.

‘He posts daily uplifting videos to inspire others but is now suffering. Let’s help him as he always helps others.

‘Please note, all money raised goes to CJ’s solicitor, not to him directly.

‘CJ needs a minimum of £15,000 (although £76,000 is being demanded from him!) so please, this needs to be shared by all social media and email to everyone you know.’