Stephen Fry has admitted he was left “embarrassed and awkward” after an “eye-watering” grilling about his sexual preferences on ITV’s The Assembly. The celebrated TV presenter described the intense questioning as more uncomfortable than his time at the Celebrity Traitors roundtable.
Fry, 68, who previously participated in the Traitors spin-off, was the first celebrity in a new run of The Assembly. During his appearance, the interview took a personal turn when an audience member, made up of neurodivergent and learning-disabled interviewers, directly asked about his sexuality. Fry, who has been openly gay since the late 1980s and married Elliott Spencer in 2015, was quick to note that the question didn’t concern his sexuality, but rather his sexual preferences.
“I think the rather eye-watering curiosity as to my sexual preferences… I wasn’t expecting that!” Fry confessed. “I was as embarrassed, awkward, and uncoordinated as I always feel when dancing.”
The broadcaster explained that the experience on The Assembly was far more intense than the somewhat controlled environment of Celebrity Traitors, where being “punished” for mistakes could still be attributed to the game. The Assembly, on the other hand, felt like a real examination under a microscope.
Despite the awkwardness, Fry also noted that the openness, frankness, and genuine curiosity from the interviewers created a fun, albeit challenging, atmosphere. “It kept me on my toes as much as I expected, but it was also friendlier and more fun than I had feared,” he said.
In a heartfelt interview with The Times, Fry recently shared how, growing up, being gay felt like a “horror inside him” and how he struggled with rejection, particularly from gay bars where he often felt out of place. “I was known as Celibate Stephen in the ’80s,” Fry explained, recalling his younger years filled with confusion and a sense of isolation.
Fry’s candid reflections about his younger years also touched on the devastation he felt during the AIDS crisis. “I was rejected in gay bars. I couldn’t dance, I didn’t look cool,” he said, revealing that his sexuality had, at times, felt like a “secret horror” as he tried to understand himself in a world that seemed unwelcoming.
In January, Fry shared a heartfelt anniversary tribute to his husband Elliott, marking their 10-year wedding anniversary. The couple, who tied the knot just ten days after announcing their engagement, continue to maintain a relatively private life. However, Fry’s tribute to their enduring love offered a rare glimpse into their marriage, calling himself “a lucky man.”
But Fry’s reflections didn’t stop there. He also spoke openly about his thoughts on aging and longevity, admitting he wouldn’t want to live beyond 100. “I would hate to be that lonely Flying Dutchman,” he shared, revealing his concerns about outliving his friends and family. Fry explained that the idea of living into his 120s was unappealing unless all of his loved ones were also living long lives.
Despite being 30 years older than Elliott, Fry revealed that their age gap has actually strengthened their relationship. He credits Elliott’s “cheerfulness” for bringing a sense of positivity into their lives, which has allowed them to embrace their differences, including Fry’s energetic mornings and Elliott’s quieter nature.
As Fry continues to navigate his personal and professional life, his willingness to share such vulnerable moments with his audience only adds to his longstanding appeal.
The next episode of The Assembly, featuring Fry, will air on Wednesday, April 8th, at 10:05 PM on ITV1 and ITVX.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
