Theatre News

Russell Tovey apologises for branding drama students 'effeminate'

The actor got in hot water on Twitter following comments in a recent interview

Russell Tovey (Jason) and Gary Carr (Ade)
Russell Tovey alongside Gary Carr in The Pass at the Royal Court

Russell Tovey has apologised for comments he made in a recent interview suggesting that drama students are "effeminate".

Tovey, who rose to fame in The History Boys, told the Observer that he "could have been really effeminate" if he hadn't gone to a school that allowed him to "toughen up".

The actor, who is gay, explained that his father didn't allow him to attend the Sylvia Young School lest he became a "tapdancing freak without qualifications".

He added: "If I’d have been able to relax, prance around, sing in the street, I might be a different person now. I thank my dad for that, for not allowing me to go down that path."

But, following a wave of criticism on Twitter, Tovey apologised for his comments through his account @RussellTovey.

He wrote: "I surrender. You got me. I'm sat baffled and saddened that a mis-fired inarticulate quote of mine, has branded me worst gay ever. If you feel I have personally let you down, I'm sorry, that was never my intention."