Matt Lucas speaks out about homophobic abuse as an Arsenal fan

Matt Lucas [picture: BBC], the acclaimed comedian and television presenter, has recently shed light on the troubling experience of homophobic abuse he faced as a long-time supporter of Arsenal Football Club. The 50-year-old star of Little Britain took to social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, to share his distressing encounters, stating that he has been verbally assaulted twice on his way to matches this season.

In his post, Lucas recounted the unpleasant nature of the abuse, revealing that he was called derogatory names. “I have been verbally abused twice on the way to football matches so far this season. On both occasions I was minding my own business, head down, walking to the ground,” he expressed. He detailed one incident in which an individual yelled at him, “fucking queer cunt,” and mentioned another occasion where he was told that “our club doesn’t want disgusting gay fans.” Lucas’s comments pointed to a larger issue within football culture, as he remarked, “If you’re a player and that offends you less than wearing a rainbow-coloured armband for a couple of matches, then maybe you’re part of the problem.”

Lucas’s candid remarks sparked discussions in the comments section, where some users suggested that homophobia might not be as widespread as he portrayed. One fan mentioned, “I’m not denying it happened… but I’ve been going to Arsenal for 40 years and never heard anything remotely homophobic… the stadium has a big banner saying ‘Gay Gooners’ and nobody seems to mind.” To this, Lucas responded simply with, “Good for you.”

Matt Lucas is well-known not just for his work on-screen but also for his openness about his sexuality. He has described realising he was gay at the age of seven. Lucas has largely kept his personal life private but has publicly shared his emotional journey regarding his late partner, Kevin McGee. The pair fell in love shortly after meeting in 2002 and entered a civil partnership in December 2006, with several notable figures in attendance, including Sir Elton John and the late Paul O’Grady.

However, their relationship faced challenges, leading to the dissolution of their partnership just 18 months later. Tragically, McGee passed away in 2009 after struggling with depression and drug addiction, a loss that has deeply affected Lucas. On the tenth anniversary of his passing, Lucas fondly remembered McGee, saying, “I loved him more than anyone I’ve ever met, and still do. He was so funny and silly and clever and kind and handsome, and his smile made my heart soar.” He added that he thinks of McGee “probably a hundred times a day, every day”.

Source: Noah Wire Services