Gogglebox fans rally around gay favourite Stephen Webb after ‘revolting homophobic’ trolling
Stephen Webb speaks after Gogglebox wins the TV programme of the year award at the Diversity in Media Awards on September 15, 2017. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty)
Gogglebox fans rallied around star Stephen Webb after a Twitter troll directed a vile anti-gay comment toward him.
Stephen Webb, who has appeared on Gogglebox since its first-ever season in 2013, was cheered on after receiving a “revolting homophobic comment”.
In a now-deleted tweet, the troll said that Webb “is everything I detest about flamboyant gays”.
Webb hit back, responding: “What a revolting homophobic comment! Please feel free to unfollow me you nasty woman.”
What a revolting homophobic comment! Please feel free to unfollow me you nasty woman https://t.co/DiLvjLlrCF
— GOGGLEBOX STEPHEN (@Stephenwebb71) May 3, 2020
He added: “She can attack me! But when she attacks my community I have to respond.”
Webb’s followers were quick to jump to his defence, with one writing: “Love you guys, some people are just jealous and pathetic and living in the last century, keep smiling because you make me laugh out loud.”
Another said: “The more flamboyant the better I say, especially in the current circumstances…. you, Daniel, Babs and Princess [the couple’s dogs] make our Friday Nights in lockdown a little less hideous.”
Gogglebox’s Stephen Webb fell out with former co-star and ex Chris Ashby-Steed.
Webb first appeared on Gogglebox alongside his then-partner Chris Ashby-Steed.
The pair continued to appear side-by-side after splitting, but Ashby-Steed was eventually replaced by Webb’s mother, Pat. When Webb married his partner, Daniel Lustig, he took over the seat next to Webb.
Last year, Ashby-Steed claimed he was “bullied” off the show by Webb, who he said would constantly put him down.
In an interview with the Mirror Ashby-Steed said he felt “so low” after leaving the show, and that his mental health suffered to such an extent he had contemplated suicide.
He added on Twitter: “A year on, I’ve finally had the courage to stand up to a bully and start to tell the story of how @Stephenwebb71 forced of off @C4Gogglebox and how it’s affected my mental health since. Hopefully, the truth of my story will help others who are struggling.”
Webb declined to comment at the time. A spokesperson for Channel 4 told PinkNews: “Chris has not contacted us since he made the decision to leave the show. The duty of care of the Gogglebox contributors is of paramount importance.”
