AN avid gamer has gone from his bedroom to the bright lights of Miami after ditching his day job to complete professional.
Gary Porter, 32, has loved gaming since he got his first PlayStation One more than 20 years ago.
But 18 months ago he began streaming online on Twitch and TikTok and his popularity grew massively.
Since then, his channel Big Daddy Gmann has received more than 2.1 million likes, with almost 75,000 followers on TikTok alone.
Now Gary has ditched his day job as a barber to go pro and recently flew to Miami for the TikTok global awards as one of the top live streamers.
Gary said: “It is a bit surreal, to be honest.
“But I had a vision from the start. I got a lot of stick for pursuing it but now I am where I am, and it feels great.
“It has come with a lot of sacrifice. I have missed a lot of birthdays, holidays, family events and quality time with people.
“But it is a job, so you have to live and breathe it. I wouldn’t change it as every day is exciting. I go to bed thinking about the next move or next content.”
Gary, who mainly streams warzone, says he is the only gamer to now win the weekly rankings on TikTok and is the highest ranked gamer in the UK.
This achievement saw him invited to the TikTok global awards in Miami, where he was flown out for four days.
Gary has also set up his owner agency to help other live streamers grown.
He added: “It was for a select few streamers from every country around the world.
“I had four days in Miami, and it was my first-time flying first class, which was an experience.
“It has taken four years of consistency, daily content, and live entertainment to get to streaming full-time.
“I have now also started my own gaming agency to help other live streamers grow and pursue their dream to be a full-time live streamer.”
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