Good Morning Britain slammed for pushing Love Island’s Curtis to come out
Adil Ray and Kate Garraway pressed Curtis on his sexuality (@GMB/Twitter)
The hosts of ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain have been strongly criticised by viewers for attempting to “force” Love Island star Curtis Pritchard to come out as bisexual.
The “shocking” live interview aired on Thursday (August 8). Presenters Adil Ray and Kate Garroway quizzed Pritchard on his sexuality after the reality TV star previously said he “wouldn’t rule out” a relationship with a man.
Pritchard declined to come out as bisexual as he does not want to put a “label” on his sexuality. But the presenters continued their unrelenting line of questioning, much to viewers’ discomfort.
‘I never want to label what the future is going to be because I don’t think anyone can really ever do that.’#LoveIsland‘s Curtis Pritchard addresses rumours about his sexuality. pic.twitter.com/RsAPJxo6sY
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 8, 2019
In the interview, described by one viewer as “more like an interrogation,” Garroway turns the subject towards Pritchard’s previous comments about his sexuality.
Pritchard replied: “I think the future’s a road which is unwritten, nobody can ever say what’s going to happen in the future, really. I mean, last year, would I have said I’m on Love Island? No.
“So, I never want to label what the future’s going to be, because I don’t think anyone can ever do that. All I want to say is that I’m 100 percent comfortable where I am now in my relationship with Maura and it’s moving in the correct direction.”
Ray pushed Pritchard to confirm that he is bisexual, and when Pritchard reiterated that he wouldn’t be “labelling anything,” the presenter pressed: “Why not?”
Curtis Pritchard appeared on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (@GMB/Twitter)
Pritchard patiently repeated his explanation: “Because I don’t feel like I need to label anything.
“Because so many people put labels on things, people say things and… they change their mind and opinion. Things change. That’s why I’m not labelling anything.”
Apparently unwilling to accept the description of fluid sexuality, Ray continued: “There is some discussion since your comments, people saying for men in particular they find it hard to come out and bisexual, you should just say that, and there might be a concern on your part to say openly as a man in Britain in 2019, ‘I’m bisexual.’”
Pritchard again explained he didn’t feel labelling himself was “the right thing to do”, and that he is comfortable in his relationship with fellow Love Island star, Maura Higgins.
Curtis Pritchard appeared on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (@GMB/Twitter)
Garroway expressed concern at this, saying: “I know what you mean you don’t want to box yourself in, but if you’re open to a relationship with a man, that means that you have considered or thought about it? Does Maura know about this? Is there a concern how it affects her?
“Why didn’t you talk about it when you were in the villa?”
Viewers hit back at presenters’ “shocking” behaviour
Pritchard maintained his composure throughout the interview and Ray praised his honesty as “quite refreshing,” but viewers quickly flooded Twitter with criticism for the hosts’ approach to the matter.
What an aggressive, unprofessional, homeophobic interview.
— Mark Lucas (@Mark_lucasSkem) August 8, 2019
I think it’s disgusting that @CurtisPritchard is practically being forced to say he’s bisexual on @GMB who needs to tell anyone their business! It’s up to Curtis and its only Curtis’ business!
— Nicole Hannah (@Nicole_259) August 8, 2019
Stopping flogging a dead horse. His business no one else’s. That interview was excruciating.
— Stute Lady (@StuteLady) August 8, 2019
he shouldnt have to label his sexuality and people shouldnt keep speculating.
Let this guy live his life, if hes bisexual or ever gets with another male then so what? Its 2019 things like this should be widely accepted.
— brin (@brintaylorr) August 8, 2019
absolutely, i think he answered it the first time they asked him , they then continued to ask him a further two times about his sexuality it was more like an interrogation than interview !
— kerry morgan (@kezzaelles) August 8, 2019
Anyone else feel like the presenters are trying to force Curtis to say he is bisexual? ?? leave him alone, this is really uncomfortable #gmb #goodmorningbritain
— Stacey (@Stacey_Tee) August 8, 2019
That conversation with Curtis was awkward and uncomfortable viewing. Forcing the issue of sexuality was not necessary @GMB
— Natalie Mooney (@supernoodles86) August 8, 2019
@GMB glad Curtis stuck to his guns even though he was being barraged to put himself into the bisexual box…. labels are for tins of beans. #bewhoyouare
— Melanie ChanTack (@MelChanTack) August 8, 2019
On seeing the footage the BBC’s Gender and Identity correspondent, Megha Mohan, advised ITV: “Diversify your staff if you don’t know how to do these interviews.”
I remember once reading that Barbara Walters’ said her biggest regret as a journalist was when she pressed Ricky Martin about his sexuality. That was in 2000. This kind of questioning in 2019 is bizarre and rude. Diversify your staff if you don’t know how to do these interviews. https://t.co/Q152SmOLwh
— Megha Mohan (@meghamohan) August 8, 2019
Good Morning Britain has not yet offered a public response to the criticism.
