THEGAYUK

Category: Front Page

  • Were the male models on last night’s Apprentice “Sexually Harassed?”

    If you tuned into the BBC’s Apprentice last night, you would have spotted how two contestants treated male models.

    Twitter users are not happy with the “inappropriate” way the male models were treated last night during a task on The Apprentice, where the candidates had to choose a model for a front cover of a magazine.

    During the task, candidates, Elizabeth McKenna and Michaela Wain called the models to walk one by one and asked if they had abs under their shirts and asked them to reveal them.

    The “cringey” scene was criticised by some fans of the show calling the interaction, “sexual harassment” and having “double standards”.

    THEGAYUK.com’s editor and chief, Jake Hook said, “It was totally unsuitable for Elizabeth to touch the male model or measure his inside leg in the way she did. Both candidates acted inappropriately in the casting and what resulted was an entirely cringey TV moment. As a company who have created dozens of magazine covers, we have never measured a model’s inside leg. It was disappointing to see this being broadcast as a potential insight into how a magazine cover is created. I wonder how Elizabeth and Michaela react if they had been treated in this way”.

  • 10 Things I Learnt at A Steps Concert

    On Friday 1st December, a moment that I had been hoping would happen for twenty years finally arrived… I attended a Steps concert.

    Back in the day, as a thirteen-year-old gay boy, I was one of their biggest fans. Sadly, I never got to see them live, so when they reformed and announced a tour, I knew I had to get tickets and join them for a party on the dancefloor.

    With the sassiest drag queen in the land, Sassi Afrika, in tow, I sashayed into the arena with high expectations. It was worth the twenty-year wait, as they put on a five-star show, but it was also a great learning experience. Here are ten things I learnt by attending a Steps concert.

    They know how to make an entrance

    The entrance was terrific and set the tone for the rest of the show. Dancers with red cloaks and golden glitter face masks moved around the stage carrying flame torches. Steps then arrived on stage, with their identities hidden by red cloaks and glitter face masks too. Dancers then pulled off the cloaks, the masks came off, and the band burst into singing their comeback single, “Scared of the Dark”.

    They know their audience

    Looking around at the crowd gathered at the arena confirmed my suspicions that the audience would be mainly made up of gay men and ladies of a certain age. There were probably more gay men at Steps than were at the Kylie Minogue concert I went to a few years ago. The rest of the audience was mostly people in their 30s and 40s who were big Steps fans two decades ago.

    Throughout the show, there were nice references to many of their fans being gay. A male dancer accompanied H. When the backing dancers had their own performance segment, there was a male dance couple and a female dance couple. H was jokingly flirting with one of the male dancers, which was quite entertaining. Finally, at one point in the show the words ‘Love Wins’ was displayed on a screen in rainbow coloured letters. They were all nice touches that gave a nod to their gay fans. It seemed genuine too, rather than contrived.

    Heterosexual men attend Steps concerts

    Who knew? There were heterosexual couples in attendance, and at one point a man got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. Thankfully she said yes. I always thought that concert proposals were a bit cringe and embarrassing, but having seen one with my own eyes, it was actually quite beautiful and added to what was already a great night.

    Lee can sing

    Again, who knew? I had thought that Lee’s main purpose was to provide some eye candy. While he is very handsome, he can also sing. In the early days of Steps, Lee didn’t really have an opportunity to sing. However, on their new album, he has more singing duties. This enabled him to sing solo parts during the concert, and I was surprised by how good his vocals are. They were on a par with everyone else’s. In fact, everyone’s vocals on the night were outstanding.

    They throw everything at their live shows

    This concert was visually one of the best I have ever been to. The lighting and fantastic set added so much to a brilliant show. The dance routines were spot on and completely in time. The backing dancers were amazing. The audience interaction and previously mentioned nods to their gay fans were really nice touches. It was clear that this is a group who are at the top of their game and happy to show everyone just how good they are. It was a world-class concert.

    Vengaboys are a fantastic support act


    When Vengaboys burst on to the stage, I was happy to hop on the Vengabus with them. Their one-hour set was full on and packed with high energy dance routines and impressive live vocals. I’d forgotten how many hits Vengaboys had and it was nice to hear them again. One thing puzzled me though. Vengaboys do not appear to have aged a day in twenty years. I need to know their secret.

    Steps fans are the friendliest

    I’ve been to a lot of concerts, and there is normally an idiot somewhere nearby. So, it was nice to chat with some lovely people at the Steps concert, share dance routines and have a good laugh with them. Complete strangers were talking to each other, dancing with each other, and have a fantastic time. It was nice to see and experience that.

    Glitter is a must

    I let the side down by not wearing any glitter, devil horns or flashing hat. Much of the audience was dressed up for the gig, and glitter was popular. If I see Steps again, I’m going head to toe in glitter. As the saying goes, when in doubt, add more glitter.

    Sassi Afrika knows every dance Steps routine

    Sassi Afrika is a glorious creature and had been teasing the dance routines. However, nothing prepared me for the show that she put on next to me. From beginning to end, Sassi did every single dance routine, and each move was spot on. If Steps ever need a replacement for Claire, they should give Sassi a call.

    Time has been kind to Steps songs

    We all know that Steps were known for being a bit cheesy in their heyday. However, time has been very kind to their songs. Each song sounded fantastic and somehow better today than when they were released. The material from their new album is very good and very relevant for today’s market. It’s a Steps sound, but with a mature twist. With such an outstanding back catalogue of classic hits, this was always going to be a great show.

     

    Tickets are available for Glasgow Date (7th December), Cardiff (10th December)

  • Police search after ‘homophobic attack’ on train near Havant

    Officers have launched an investigation following an incident where two men were assaulted in a homophobic attack.

    Police search after 'homophobic attack' on train near Havant

    The incident happened on board a train service at between Havant and Pulborough at 8.34pm on 22 September.

    Two men boarded the service at Havant railway station, a short time into the journey two women board the service.

    They were on board the service for around 20 minutes before leaving to get up to leave the service at Pulborough station.

    One of the women then threw a glass jar which she was drinking from at the two men, brushing the head of one of them.

    The same girl was also making homophobic remarks to the two men relating to their sexuality.

    On arriving at the station, the two women got off the train, and as they did the same woman who had been using offensive language walked past the window where the two men were sat and spat at the window.

    The women left the station while the two men stayed on the service.

    Officers would now like to speak to the two women in the CCTV image as they believe they may have information that could help with the investigation.

    Anyone with any information should contact British Transport Police on 08004 0 50 40 or text 61016 citing reference 656 of 22/09.

  • Two teenagers arrested following reports of homophobic attack on London train

    Following an appeal for information in relation to a homophobic assault, two teenage boys have been identified and arrested.

    The British Transport Police confirmed that two people they wished to speak to in connection with an alleged homophobic assault on the Jubilee line have been arrested.

    The two 16-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of assault (5/12) and are currently in custody.

    Investigators had been asking for the public’s help in identifying two people they’d wanted to speak to in connection with a violent incident on a Jubilee line train between West Ham and North Greenwich.

    The incident happened on 21 October at around 11.10pm, when the alleged offenders boarded the train at West Ham and verbally abusing the victim and his friends, using homophobic language.

    CREDIT: R~P~M / Flickr

    When they were challenged about their language, they purportedly became violent.

    British Transport Police reported,

    “The first offender then pulled the victim from his seat into a headlock, strangling him.

    “The second offender took the victim’s phone and verbally abused him again, also making threats to stab him.

    “They demanded the victim apologise for being gay which eventually the victim did as he was struggling to breathe. They then let him go and handed back his phone and a fight ensued between the victim’s friends and the offenders.

    “One of the victim’s friends, a 25-year-old woman, was punched and pushed to the ground. She sustained bruising.

    “The original victim did not sustain any injuries”.

    The two then disembarked the train at North Greenwich, leaving the victims on the train.

    In a statement, the BTP said, “Hate crime will not be tolerated by British Transport Police. We believe that everyone has the right to travel safety. We won’t tolerate behaviour where someone is targeted because they are perceived to be different, or made to feel uncomfortable on their journey”.

    You can text the British Transport Police on 61016 to report non-emergency incidents.

  • Who’s the actor who plays Aaron in Emmerdale?

    He’s currently playing the gay character Aaron Dingle on the ITV soap Emmerdale, but what about the actor behind the character? Here’s 7 thing you didn’t know about Danny Miller. Including whether the actor himself is gay in real life?

    Who's the actor who plays Aaron in Emmerdale?
    (C) ITV

    Is Danny Miller who plays Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale gay in real life?

    Danny Miller doesn’t identify as gay and even went as far as to say that he found the intimate same-sex scenes awkward. Speaking in The Sun On Sunday in 2012, he said that filming some of the romantic scenes were “embarrassing”. When he was leaving the soap for the first time, he said, “I won’t miss kissing blokes. I haven’t got a problem with it but I don’t think I’ll be reminiscing!”

    He’s since returned to the soap in 2014 and the character has even been married… Plenty of kissing still happens!

    He’s a bit brilliant at impressions of other soap stars.

    In an episode of Celebrity Juice, Danny Miller showed that he could do a brilliant impression of Corrie’s Kevin Webster. It’s uncanny. He was also asked to do the impression for Capital Juice.

     

    He’s found some of his story lines really hard to deal with.

    In fact, the audience has trouble dealing with the storylines too. A recent storyline which saw the character taunted over his child abuse, whilst in prison, saw a whopping 180 complaints lodged with Ofcom.

    What’s Danny Miller’s net worth?

    Danny Miller’s net worth is quoted by one source as $700,000 however, this rumour hasn’t been confirmed. He will have made his fortune through his many many appearances on the soap, which to date have exceeded 380+ episodes. A company in his name has assets in excess of £148,000 as of 2017.

    Where was Danny Miller born and raised?

    Danny was born in Stockport, Manchester. He was born in 1991, which makes him 26 in 2017. His birthday is the 2nd of January, which makes him a Capricorn.

    Where did Danny Miller first start on TV?

    Like many soap stars, Danny appeared in the CBBC drama, Grange Hill. He was in eight episodes in 2007. From Grange Hill, he went straight into Emmerdale.

    Is Danny Miller married?

    No Danny Miller isn’t married to anyone.

    Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7 pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8 pm on Thursdays.

  • Teenager “strangled” and forced to “apologise for being gay” on London Train

    A 19-year-old victim of homophobic abuse was allegedly held in a stranglehold and forced to apologise for being gay on a London tube.

    Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying two men they’d like to speak to in connection with a violent incident on a Jubilee line train between West Ham and North Greenwich.

    The incident happened on 21 October at around 11.10pm, when the alleged offenders boarded the train at West Ham and verbally abusing the victim and his friends, using homophobic language.

    They were challenged about their language, which is when the incident purportedly became violent.

    British Transport Police report,

    “The first offender then pulled the victim from his seat into a headlock, strangling him.

    “The second offender took the victim’s phone and verbally abused him again, also making threats to stab him.

    “They demanded the victim apologise for being gay which eventually the victim did as he was struggling to breathe. They then let him go and handed back his phone and a fight ensued between the victim’s friends and the offenders.

    “One of the victim’s friends, a 25-year-old woman, was punched and pushed to the ground. She sustained bruising.

    “The original victim did not sustain any injuries”.

    The two men then disembarked the train at North Greenwich, leaving the victims on the train.

    Officers would like to speak to the people shown in the images as they may have information which could help the investigation.

    If you recognise them, please call BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, quoting reference number 273 of 1/12.

    In a statement the BTP said, “Hate crime will not be tolerated by British Transport Police. We believe that everyone has the right to travel safety. We won’t tolerate behaviour where someone is targeted because they are perceived to be different, or made to feel uncomfortable on their journey”.

    You can text the British Transport Police on 61016 to report non-emergency incidents.

  • Tragedy for Sir Elton after mother passes away

    Elton John is “in shock” after his mother passed away.

    Sir Elton has said that he is in shock following the death of his mother, Sheila Farebrother. Taking to social media, the singer-songwriter, said, that he was so sad to hear that his mother had passed away. In his post, he thanked her for everything and said that he would miss her so much.

    Sir Elton was born, Reginald Dwight and was an only child.

    Her death, tragically, comes just months after the mother and son, reconciled over a “petty” argument in 2008. Sir Elton and his mother fell out after he asked her to end a friendship with two friends, Bob Halley and John Reid. Halley was a former employee of Sir Elton. Mr Reid had been the singer’s manager.

    Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Farebrother said, “I told him: ‘I’m not about to do that and drop them,” then to my utter amazement, he told me he hated me. And he then banged the phone down. Imagine! To me, his mother!”

    For her 90th birthday, two years ago, Sir Elton reached out, and the two managed to settle their relationship.

    Sheila Farebrother was 92 when she died.

  • The best naughty 2018 Calendars

    It’s that time of year when we look to the year ahead…

    52 Naked Rugby players await you in the official Naked Rugby Players’ Calendar 2018

    And what will be hanging on our walls.

    People, we present the hottest calendars that need to be in your life for 2018

    Red Hot 2018

    Go follow @chrisjammer Mr July in our Red Hot British Boys calendar. Out next Wednesday 25th Oct ?Pre-Order now from www.redhot100.com/shop A few tickets left for launch party available – link in bio ⚡️

    A post shared by RED HOT (@redhot100) on

    There’s two version of this calendar, the truly naked one and the more SFW one… Shot by Red Hot photographer Thomas Knights and art director Elliott James Frieze, the calendar raises money for the Movember Foundation’s Testicular Cancer Awareness.

    Available for £20.00

    The Naked Rugby Players 2018

    Get your #MondayMotivation with @kxsrfc from www.TheNakedRugbyPlayers.com #nakedrugby #gay #charity #mondays #balls #rugby

    A post shared by The Naked Rugby Players (@thenakedrugbyplayers) on

    52 guys got completely starkers to raise money and awareness for Balls to Cancer and inclusive rugby… Shot by THEGAYUK’s very own photographer, Monty McKinnen. Available to buy from their website TheNakedRugbyPlayers.com from £10.00

     

    The Dreamboys

    Bring the world-famous Dreamboys in your home with this stunning calendar, just £13.26 on Amazon

    The Farmers Calendar

    I’ve got a brand new Combinharverter… Available on Amazon from £9.99

    Dieux du Stade

    Our second Rugby player calendar of the year, who could not fall for these ridiculously hot guys in the world famous, Calendrier Dieux du stade. Available on Amazon  from £22.30

    Meat Magazine

    Described as a f**k you to body shaming, the Meat Calendar promises to deliver page after page of guys of all shapes and sizes. The calendar’s cover star Fernando, a hunky, down-to-earth HR professional in London’s busy Mayfair, said, “It wasn’t an easy decision to pose naked for meat but, now I’m absolutely proud of myself for doing it. I thought I would never be picked because of my body shape and I wanted to prove that you can be hairy and have a belly and it can be sexy.” Available from Amazon for £19.62

    Steve Grand

    I am now selling 2 Limited Edition, Photo Calendars on my web store so you can pick from either the First Edition, the Second Edition, or get both for a discounted rate so you don’t have to choose! 😀 Order now: Shop.SteveGrand.com�� We got so many amazing shots, I just had to make 2 Calendars worth of images. So yes, both calendars have their own unique set of photos, although all the photos came from the same photoshoot. ��13 full resolution, never-before-seen full color photo prints make up each limited edition, spiral bound 8.5″ x 11″ 2018 monthly calendar. Autographed and Personalized Options available! �These photos were taken by the very talented Zack Zerbe this past summer while I was living and performing in Ptown.� The photos in the images are a sample of some of the photos that will be included in the calendars There will be 13 pages of photos total for each calendar. Enjoy! :D

    A post shared by Steve Grand (@stevegrandmusic) on

    Australian Firefighters Calendar

    This doesn’t really need any comment, introduction or further push to buy…

     

  • Jack Maynard: I’ve got lots of gay friends

    *Face Palm*

    Disgraced YouTuber and former, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant, Jack Maynard has told The Sun that he’s got lots of gay friends… and that he doesn’t have a problem with anyone.

    The YouTuber, left the Aussie jungle, in November, following from revelations that there were racist and homophobic tweets sent from his Twitter account. He sent the tweets before he became famous on the YouTube platform. He also revealed that the person he aimed the homophobic insults at wasn’t gay and that the messages were “careless”.

    Speaking to The Sun, he said,  “I’m straight but don’t have a problem with anyone. I don’t have a problem with any sexuality whatsoever. I’ve got lots of gay friends and absolutely love them.”

    Explaining why he sent the offensive Tweet Jack offered, “Sadly, this was in an argument with someone I knew from back home that just got very out of hand.”

    “The person wasn’t gay; it was just a really careless insult. I wasn’t thinking about what I was saying; I was just retaliating in a really, really horrible way.”

    He added: “It’s a disgusting word and I’m disgusted with myself for even using it. I’d never, ever use that word now to describe someone, to insult someone.”

  • The Government has refused to make “gay cures” illegal

    Making gay cures a criminal offence is not the forward – apparently

    The British Government has affirmed its position on “gay cures” or conversion therapy. It condemns it, but won’t make the practice of it illegal.

    In responding to a petition, created earlier in 2017,  which attracted 11,000 signatories, the Government said that although it condemned the practice of conversion therapy, it did not believe that making the treatment illegal was the “right way forward”.

    The therapy, which has no evidentiary proof of benefit, has been widely criticised by the professional health industry and is seen as incredibly damaging to the LGBT+ community. The therapy is banned on the NHS.

    This is not the first time the Government has refused to make substantive steps towards the banning of so-called “gay cures”, in 2015 it declined to ban them. 

     

    The Government has refused to make "gay cures" illegal

    In its latest response, responding to the petition, the Department of Health said,

    “There is no evidence that this sort of treatment is beneficial, and indeed it may well cause significant harm to some patients. It is incumbent on professionals working in the National Health Service to ensure that treatment and care, including therapy, is provided to every patient without any form of discrimination.

    “This Government is committed to tackling discrimination towards LGBT people. That is why we have already worked with the main registration and accreditation bodies for psychotherapy and counselling practitioners, including the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), to develop first a consensus statement and then a Memorandum of Understanding committing signatory organisations to a range of activities including training and awareness raising amongst their members in relation to this issue.

    “This Government has already taken the necessary steps to prevent the practice of gay conversion therapy in the UK”.

  • We certainly didn’t expect THAT body from Apprentice star James White

    Who knew he was hiding that bod under his suit.

    James White, is our new obsession, thanks to some rather gratuitous toplessness in last night’s episode of The Apprentice. The 26-year-old recruitment boss, literally stunned THEGAYUK office into silence, when it was revealed that he was hiding a rock-solid bod under his suit.

    Just take a look!

    Some fans of the show were calling for it to be broadcast in 3D – a notion that we wholeheartedly endorse.