Mark Francis Vandelli opens up on his sexuality in raw chat: ‘I will not be branded a freak’

Reality star Mark Francis Vandelli has opened up about his sexuality in a raw, emotional chat on Ladies of London.

Vandelli, who rose to fame on E4 series Made in Chelsea, is the only male main member of the Ladies of London cast. He explained that he’s “spent 20 years being treated like a freak”, going into the struggles he faces within his own family.

During the series so far, he has butted heads with American actress Margo Stilley, with things kicking off at Longleat, home of cast member Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath, over Stilley’s outfit choice.

Vandelli deemed her outfit inappropriate as it was slightly see-through, but refused to engage in conversation with her.

In the latest episode, things came to a head between them, with Stilley branding him “weird and creepy”. “You’re like a weird, creepy masked clown,” she went on. “Prance away. He’s weird, f****** weirdo.”

The following day, “weird” had evolved into “freak”, though Stilley said: “I didn’t call him a freak, I called him weird. Maybe I did, I do find him freaky.”

Some of the other cast members took issue with it, linking it to Vandelli’s sexuality.

Lottie Kane said in a confessional: “Mark is the only gay man in the group, so it just feels like calling him a freak is just very personal, singling him out. I’m sure he’s had his whole life being called names. I just don’t think it’s fair, I don’t think it’s kind, and I’m just not on board with that.”

Kimi Murdoch said while in a van with Vandelli and other cast members: “To call someone of a different sexual persuasion a freak is not [politically correct].”

While Lady Martha Sitwell suggested that wasn’t what Stilley had meant, Vandelli disagreed.

He said: “I spent 20 years being treated like a freak. Okay, I will not in Emma’s house be ran after I’m branded a freak.

“I spent my whole life trying to deal with this. I can’t even introduce my partner to my parents, okay, the person that I want to marry. I cannot even introduce to my parents.

“I can’t even have a normal life, because, guess what, I’m not normal. Do you know what that’s like? I don’t want pity. I hate pity, and I don’t feel sorry for myself. But it is like that. Okay, and that’s fine. It’s fine because we pick our battles.”

He added: “I will not be branded a freak.”

Meanwhile, in another van, Stilley doubled down, saying: “He is a freak.”

Ladies of London is available to stream on Hayu.

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