Russell Tovey recalls getting into a ‘scrap’ with a homophobe at a festival
"It was so preposterous and bizarre. It was so odd."
By Will Stroude
Russell Tovey has revealed got into a “scrap” with a man after being subjected to homophobic abuse at an exclusive London festival.
Attitude May issue cover star and Talk Art podcast co-host Tovey, 39, opens up about the incident in conversation with legendary artist Sir Michael Crag-Martin as the pair discuss their sexuality and work.
Asked whether he’s ever endured negative experiences because of his sexuality, former Looking tells the Attitude May issue, out now to download and to order globally that he and former Doctors and Waterloo star Matt Kennard got involved in an altercation with a man at Soho House Festival.
Russell wears tee by CDLP for the Attitude May issue, out now to download and to order globally (Photography: Mark Cant)
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything along the way where I felt like someone’s acting differently to me because of my sexuality”, Russell says.
“The only place I’ve experienced some sort of homophobia was once at a Soho House Festival. Me and my friend Matt Kennard, who is actually straight, were at the bar getting drinks and somebody says, ‘Come on, gay boys, hurry up, gay boys’.
Russell wears blazer by Alexander McQueen (Photography: Mark Cant)
“We ended up having a scrap with the guy. It was just like, ‘Excuse me? What the fuck is going on? This is fucking Soho House, of all places!'”
Tovey, who has starred in BBC series including Him & Her and Being Human, goes on: “It was so preposterous and bizarre. It was so odd.
“Homophobia is so odd. It’s just so odd.”
The Attitude May issue is out now to download and to order globally.
Subscribe in print and get your first three issues for just £1 each, or digitally for just £1.08 per issue (limited time only).
