Russell Tovey says ‘being gay is the best thing that’s ever happened to me’
Actor Russell Tovey has said being gay is the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
The star opened up about his sexuality and pressures of traditional masculinity in an interview ahead of his new film.
“I think growing up I absolutely tried to become hyper-masculine,” Tovey said.
“I think when I was younger I was a lot freer. So I related a lot of that side to Jason, to his pretence.
“I was never tortured about being gay in the way that Jason is,” he explained, referring to his character in the new film.
The Pass tells the story of a Premier League footballer wrestling with his sexuality, which is out on 9 December.
“I was watching the film Beautiful Thing on TV. My mum came in and I turned it off and when she went to bed I turned it back on. I remember thinking ‘OK, that’s it’.
“It’s like someone had put their hand on mine and said ‘there you go’.
“It’s a love story with a happy ending. It’s good to have role models and now there are many more.”
The star said he realised his sexuality at 14, and never looked back.
“Honestly, it’s the best thing that ever happened to me, being gay,’ Tovey said. ‘It’s made my career.”
