Russell Tovey discusses how he came to accept his sexuality

Russell Tovey reveals he accepted his sexuality when a co-star reassured him it was okay if he was gay after she realised he was ‘desperately in love’ with an older actor

Russell Tovey has spoken candidly about accepting his sexuality and finding pride in being a gay man in an interview in the May issue of Attitude magazine.

Speaking to the publication on Wednesday, the actor, 39, explained that he was on set of a TV show where he was ‘desperately in love’ with an older actor, but tried to hide it from his colleagues.

He explained that a female co-star took him to one side as she had realised his feelings for the actor, and asked if he was gay and reassured him it would be ‘great’ if he was.

Candid: Russell Tovey said on Wednesday he accepted his sexuality when a co-star reassured him it was okay if he was gay after she realised he was ‘desperately in love’ with an older actor

Russell explained: ‘I was doing a TV show and I was desperately in love with this much older actor and had such a crush on him, and I didn’t think anyone knew.

‘I thought I was hiding it very well, but I wasn’t. This older actress took me for a walk along the beach where it was filming and explained to me that I might be gay. 

‘She said, “If you are, that’s great; if you’re not, that’s fine. But you might be.” It felt like, oh, that’s an option. That is something I can possibly be. That’s what these feelings I’m having are.’

Helpful: Russell said, 'I thought I was hiding it very well, but I wasn't. This older actress took me for a walk along the beach where it was filming and explained to me that I might be gay'

Helpful: Russell said, ‘I thought I was hiding it very well, but I wasn’t. This older actress took me for a walk along the beach where it was filming and explained to me that I might be gay’

The Pass star went on: ‘It’s confusing because you’re living in a world where you’re being told there’s nowhere you can look to understand, what are my feelings?

‘You feel lost and at that age, to have someone put their hand out and go, “Come here. This is just me giving a bit of advice.” It stayed with me forever and changed everything.’

Russell has previously said he came out to himself when he was 15, but only told his family he was gay when he was 18.

The actor also detailed one time he was subjected to homophobia, which he described as ‘odd’ because it took place at Members’ Club Soho House.

Acceptance: Russell added the actress told him it would be 'great' if he was gay and 'fine' if not, and he said her words helped him realise 'that’s an option. That is something I can possibly be'

Acceptance: Russell added the actress told him it would be ‘great’ if he was gay and ‘fine’ if not, and he said her words helped him realise ‘that’s an option. That is something I can possibly be’

He detailed: ‘The only place I’ve experienced some sort of homophobia was once at a Soho House festival. 

‘Me and my friend Matt Kennard, who is actually straight, were at the bar getting drinks and somebody says, “Come on, gay boys, hurry up, gay boys.” 

‘We ended up having a scrap with the guy. It was just like, “Excuse me? What the f*** is going on? This is f***ing Soho House, of all places!”‘

Russell added: ‘It was so preposterous and bizarre. It was so odd. Homophobia is so odd. It’s just so odd.’

The actor is in a relationship with Steve Brockman, the happy couple rekindled their romance in 2019 after they spent a year apart following a brief engagement.

Russell had gotten engaged to the former adult film star and rugby coach in February 2018 but then confirmed their split in June, before getting back together. 

While they try to keep their relationship private, Russell has expressed an interest in having a family of his own as, shortly after they split, he told Gay Times: ‘I wanted to be an actor, a history teacher and a dad. 

‘Now I’m 36, I’m giving myself three years. If I haven’t met someone that wants kids, I’m going to do it by myself.’ 

Read the full interview in the May issue of Attitude, out now. 

Partner: The actor is in a relationship with Steve Brockman, the happy couple rekindled their romance in 2019 after they spent a year apart following a brief engagement (pictured in 2017)

Partner: The actor is in a relationship with Steve Brockman, the happy couple rekindled their romance in 2019 after they spent a year apart following a brief engagement (pictured in 2017)